The 2025 TikTok Awards Sub-Saharan Africa spotlight artists and creators who shaped the year’s viral culture, including performances from Ciza, Lord Kez, Thabsie, Thuli P, and DJ Fif_Laaa. Hosted by Bontle Modiselle-Moloi, the event highlights TikTok’s role in music discovery, creator influence, and chart-defining moments across the continent, with broadcasts and sponsor support.
TikTok Awards Spotlight Viral Artists, Rising Creators, And Platform-Driven Cultural Influence
TikTok is excited to unveil the musical powerhouses and creators bringing energy to the 2025 TikTok Awards Sub-Saharan Africa on 6th December. Guests, including the continent’s top content creators, brands, influential publishers, and leading journalists, are invited to an unforgettable evening of glamour.
They can anticipate electrifying live performances from breakout artists whose music has dominated TikTok feeds this year, alongside celebrating creators who have profoundly shaped culture, sparked major trends, and built vibrant communities across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Viral hits that defined the year
Afro-fusion star Ciza will take the stage following a breakthrough year fueled by his viral hit Isaka (6am). The Amapiano summer anthem earned him Billboard’s African Rookie of the Month in September. The track also sparked a continent-wide dance challenge, driving 1.2 million on-platform videos in South Africa, over 2 million globally, and reached No. 3 on TikTok’s South Africa Songs of the Summer 2025. The song topped the charts for nine weeks at No. 1 in South Africa and even broke into Nigeria’s Afrobeats driven market before surging again with the Isaka II remix featuring Tems and Omah Lay, which topped Spotify’s Viral Chart in Nigeria. His performance captures how one beat, amplified by TikTok’s creativity can achieve Pan-African dominance and global momentum.
He will be joined by award-winning South African singer, songwriter, and poet Lord Kez who masterfully weaves together R&B, neo-soul, hip-hop, and trap. Her standout track Aweh took over the TikTok For You Feed and held the No. 1 spot on South Africa’s R&B chart for four weeks, fuelled by creators who embraced her raw, soulful storytelling.
South African R&B star Thabsie, known for her seamless fusion of R&B and pop since her breakout on Kwesta’s Ngiyaz’fela Ngawe, will also take the stage, bringing her soulful vocals and signature style to light up the night.
The DJs are not missing in action! Acclaimed DJ and performer Thuli P serves as the night’s resident DJ, with rising nightlife favourite DJ Fif_laaa opening and closing the show.
Head of Content Operations at TikTok Sub-Saharan Africa, Boniswa Sidwaba, recognises the success of artists like Ciza and Lord Kez, confirming that African creativity is setting the global pace. “TikTok is the leading platform for music discovery, constantly shaping the industry and driving real-world success for artists. We are proud to showcase such a rich pool of talent at this year’s awards, which truly reflects on the power of the platform.”
TikTok taps into fan favourite Bontle Modiselle-Moloi, to host the platform’s most exciting night of the year.
The main stage will be graced by South African multi-disciplinary artist Bontle Modiselle-Moloi as the host of the night. Bontle is a creator who embodies the new wave of icons shaping culture on TikTok with her blend of polished performance and viral authenticity.
TikTok LIVE Broadcast: Pink Carpet Glam Hosts
On the pink carpet, Keegan Gordon and Zayaan Noorani will capture the evening’s fashion and excitment, with Keegan’s community-driven storytelling and Zayaan’s bold, expressive style ensuring a blend of impact, fun, and humour. South African favourite Mihlali Ndamase will also be at the event to present the Video of The Year Award.
To relive all the excitement from the awards, tune into the TikTok LIVE re-broadcast on the @tiktok.africa account at around 20:00h SAST on 11 December 2025. Follow TikTok’s official channels for additional highlights and updates.
- TikToK: @tiktok.africa, @tiktoksouthafrica and @tiktok_nigeria
- Intagram: TikTok Kenya, TikTok Nigeria and TikTok_South Africa
This year’s TikTok Awards are proudly sponsored by our esteemed group of partners, with NIVEA (Beiersdorf) and inDrive serving as Title Sponsors. Coca-Cola, Dis-Chem, and PEP join as Category Sponsors.
A New Era, New Icons: TikTok Honours Africa’s Biggest Creators of 2025
08 December 2025: The TikTok community has spoken, and Africa has crowned its newest icons. The 2025 TikTok Awards Sub-Saharan Africa lit up Johannesburg on 6 December, marking a powerful moment in the continent’s rapidly evolving creator landscape. Under the bold theme “New Era, New Icons,” TikTok honoured the creators who are reshaping culture, storytelling, and digital influence across the region.
Reflecting on the evening’s festivities, Boniswa Sidwaba, TikTok’s Head of Content Operations for Sub-Saharan Africa said, “Tonight’s ceremony was a gathering of the trailblazers who have redefined what it means to be a creator in Africa. From Sokoto to Nairobi, and Accra to Pretoria, we honoured the creators who turned 60-second clips into cultural movements. We are honoured to celebrate them as they amplify their voices and take their stories from Africa to the world.”
And the 2025 Winners are:
Creator of the Year (Sponsored by NIVEA): Raja’atu Muhammed Ibrahim @diaryofanortherncook (Nigeria)
Taking the night’s most prestigious title, @diaryofanortherncook was recognised for her mastery of visual storytelling through food with the rich sounds of northern music. Based in Sokoto, the creator has captivated a global audience by documenting Northern Nigerian cuisine with that kind of cinematic flair that draws global attention to Nigerian food.
Storyteller of the Year (Sponsored by inDrive): Brian Nwana @briannwana (Nigeria)
Based in Abuja, @briannwana claimed the Storyteller of the Year award through his food content. From street interviews to compelling personal narratives woven into his food adventures, Brian has a rare gift for capturing the human experience bite by bite. His content keeps audiences hooked from the first second to the last. His Guinness World Record for the most fast-food restaurants visited in 24 hours is just the latest example of his bold, inventive approach to content. Speaking while receiving his award, Brian Nwana said, “Every single creator is a storyteller. We all tell stories that help drive the local communities, our cities, and our countries, and when we do that we change the perception that the world has about us”.
Video of the Year: Fanuel John Masamaki @zerobrainer0 (Tanzania)
Tanzanian sports creator @zerobrainer0 makes a triumphant return, winning Video of the Year after securing Sports Creator of the Year in 2024. He has become a continent-wide fan favourite thanks to his signature beige blazer and his unique, silent comedy spin on football moments. “I am truly grateful to my fans and the love I have received from Tanzanians. Thank you so much . This win was for all of us.” Said John Masamaki while receiving his award.
Rising Star of the Year: @tunero_animations (Kenya)
The future of African storytelling is animated. Celebrating the next generation of talent, the Rising Star award went to Nairobi-based @tunero_animations, who has carved out a niche with animated characters like Bob Kichwa Ngumu, whose clever, sarcastic and stubborn traits resonate with Kenyans and the world.
Runner-up: Esther Francis @estherfrancisbackup (Nigeria), adds a creative and relatable flair to health information that empowers users on the platform with credible information.
Social Impact Creator of the Year (Sponsored by Dis-chem): Dejoke Ogunbiyi @noositiwantiwa_ (Nigeria)
Using the platform for good, @Noositiwantiwa_ is driving conversations that matter. From Ibadan, she tackles social issues with grace and impact, mobilising her community for positive change.
Runner-up: Sinethemba Masinga @ufarm_julia (South Africa) – A champion for agriculture and sustainability, proving that farming is the future.
Food Creator of the Year (Sponsored by Coca-Cola): @malumfoodie (South Africa)
Pretoria’s self-taught cook, @malumfoodie took home the trophy thanks to the flavour and fun his videos bring to the kitchen. His approachable recipes and charismatic delivery using South African street language called Spitori and native South African languages bring a fresh, entertaining twist to his recipes and meals.“From my humble beginnings of Haamanskraal, to Soshanguve and to all of South Africa, now we are in Africa!”, says Malume Foodie, reflecting on the significance of the award.”
Runner-up: Abena Amoakoaa Sintim-Aboagye @chefabbys (Ghana) – Showcasing the best of Ghanaian cuisine to the world with style. She was recently named amongst Time Magazine’s 2025 list of the 1000 most influential creators in the World
Sports Creator of the Year: John Maingi Mbugua @zozasportscast (Kenya)
From Nairobi to the world, the @zozasportscast team delivers football analysis with passion and precision. They represent a new wave of sports journalism, which is fan-led, authentic, and always on the ball.“Winning isn’t the finish line, it’s fuel for the next chapter. Every piece of content, every discussion, every moment captured was driven by passion, and receiving this recognition means that passion is resonating far beyond my expectations.” Said John Mbugua as he received his award
Runner-up: Victor Ademola @ademolavictortv (Nigeria) has kept the Super Eagles and global football conversation alive with energetic commentary.
Entertainment Creator of the Year (Sponsored by PEP): Belove Olocha @beloveolocha (Nigeria)
A dominant force in content creation, Lagos-based @beloveolocha was awarded for her consistent ability to entertain and engage audiences with relatable movie content. She also stands out for incorporating her love for movies, sharing film moments and recommendations that resonate with her community.
Runner-up: Jabulani Macdonald @jabu_macdonald (South Africa) is a staple of South Africa’s entertainment scene, known for his quick wit and engaging presence.
Education Creator of the Year: Izzi Boye @izziboye (Nigeria)
Making tech accessible to the masses, @izziboye is the go-to guy for gadget reviews, hacks, and digital tips. He proves that TikTok is a powerful classroom for the digital age.
Runner-up: @michelle_expert (South Africa) empowers her audience with expert advice and actionable insights from career development and financial literacy to personal growth and everyday decision-making.
Artist of the Year: Crown Uzama @theycallmeshallipopipp (Nigeria)
2025 was the year of the “Plutomania”. Shallipopi, popularly referred to as “Pluto Presido” by his fans, “plutomanians”, dominated the soundwaves and the platform, with tracks that sparked viral challenges and became the soundtrack of the year across the continent. The platform has also played a significant role in spreading culture through music in 2025. “Thank you, TikTok, for supporting all upcoming artists and giving them a spotlight to shine.”said 2025 Artist of the Year and “Laho” hit-maker, Shallipopi.
TikTok Announces Major Brand Partnerships For 2025 Sub-Saharan Africa Awards
26 November 2025: TikTok’s 2025 Sub-Saharan Africa Awards gain expanded industry backing with NIVEA (Beiersdorf) and inDrive named as Title Sponsors, marking the platform’s growing influence across the region’s creative economy. The awards, scheduled for 6 December 2025, will honour creators who educate, entertain, and empower communities. NIVEA will sponsor Creator of the Year, while inDrive presents Storyteller of the Year.
Additional support comes from Coca-Cola, Dis-Chem, and PEP Stores as Category Sponsors, recognising creators shaping food content, social impact, and entertainment. TikTok notes that these partnerships reflect a shared commitment to investing in African creativity at a pivotal time. The awards will highlight the trends, content, and cultural contributions that defined the year.
Featured Image(s): Supplied
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