Streaming Giants: Nigerians Claim 6 Spots in Africa’s Top 10 Rankings for 2026

Nigerian content creators dominate Africa’s live-streaming scene in 2026, cementing the country’s position as a driving force in the continent’s fast-expanding digital entertainment economy.

Figures compiled from Twitch and Kick indicate that Nigerian streamers occupy most slots in Africa’s top 10, reflecting strong audience loyalty, high engagement levels, celebrity collaborations and Nigeria’s early embrace of live streaming as a viable, full-time career. The trend highlights a broader shift in Africa’s creator economy, where live streaming has moved beyond its gaming roots to become a rapidly growing, multi-million-dollar industry.

Although South Africa once set the pace for live streaming on the continent, momentum has increasingly tilted toward West Africa, with Nigeria at the centre of the surge. Global attention intensified after visits by international streaming stars such as Kai Cenat and IShowSpeed, which helped amplify local creators and introduced African audiences to new formats of interactive digital entertainment.

The 2026 rankings rely on combined follower counts across Twitch and Kick, offering a more comprehensive measure of influence as platform preferences evolve across Africa. Twitch continues to hold strong appeal in West and Southern Africa, while Kick has expanded quickly among emerging creators, driven by incentive structures that favour streamers. Together, the platforms provide a clearer picture of sustained reach, focusing on dedicated communities rather than fleeting viral moments.

Nigeria’s presence in the top tier is led by creators such as Carter Efe, Shank Comics, Enzo (Rynenzo), Peller, Ojo and Lord Lamba, who collectively form the largest national group among Africa’s most-followed streamers.

Carter Efe stands out as the most followed Africa-based streamer on Twitch, with more than 560,000 followers. His mix of street culture, celebrity interactions and interactive variety content has helped connect Nigerian pop culture with global audiences. Shank Comics, one of the country’s most recognisable digital entertainers, continues to shape Nigeria’s streaming identity. As the first Nigerian to cross 100,000 followers on Twitch, his participation in Kai Cenat’s Streamer University and a $10,000 prize from MrBeast boosted his international profile and reinforced Nigeria’s standing in the global streaming ecosystem.

Enzo represents a new wave of Nigerian creators who are growing their platforms through consistency, technical skill and gaming-focused content rather than headline-grabbing virality. Peller’s early move to Kick and his appointment as the platform’s first Nigerian brand ambassador further illustrate how strategic platform choices are reshaping Africa’s streaming landscape.

Despite Nigeria’s strong showing, the top position on the continent belongs to Morocco’s Ilyas El Maliki, while South Africa and Egypt maintain representation through established creators who continue to command loyal followings.

As live streaming gains cultural and commercial relevance across Africa, Nigeria’s dominance in 2026 signals a shift in creative power, positioning the country as a key hub for digital entertainment and online influence on the continent.

Africa’s biggest streamers so far in 2026 include Ilyas El Maliki of Morocco with over 847,000 followers, followed by Carter Efe of Nigeria with more than 560,000. Shank Comics, Enzo and Peller, all from Nigeria, trail closely behind with 258,000, 204,000 and 183,000 followers respectively. South Africa’s Rachel Kay holds 144,000 followers, while Nigeria’s Ojo has 66,000. Egypt’s Salma Hassan follows with 64,000, alongside Nigeria’s Lord Lamba with 39,000 and South Africa’s AliasV with 34,000 followers.