According to the CEO of YouTube, Susan Wojcicki, “We’re incredibly proud at YouTube to provide a platform that shares Africa’s creativity with the rest of the world. Films from Nollywood along with stories like the one of Olympic medalist Julius Yego show that inspiring talent and stories from anywhere can find a global audience. By holding our first ever YouTube Africa Awards, we hope to celebrate these incredible achievements, while also demonstrating our long-term commitment to the continent.” YouTube Awards were given to 25 creators across 23 categories at a glittering event held in Sandton. Nominees were chosen based on subscriber numbers. Users had to have a minimum of 50 000 subscribers to qualify, and be based and currently residing in one of eight launched countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The eight launched countries in SSA are Tanzania, Ghana, Uganda, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Nigeria, and Senegal. There are over 70 channels from launched SSA countries that have reached over 100 000 subscribers. “YouTube is about the opportunity for people to express themselves,” says Teju Ajani, YouTube Partnerships, SSA. “Creators across Africa are using YouTube to find their voice, connect with audiences around the world and build channels while earning revenue from it. The number of hours of video content being uploaded in Africa has doubled year over year for the past two years. And the audience has grown with it. Average watchtime on mobile phones is growing 120% year over year.” Full list of winners: Broadcaster – Channels Television Comedy – Kansiime Anne Comic – Ramscomics / Supastrikas Education – Retutpro – Photography and Photoshop Tutorials Entertainment – NdaniTV Fitness – Six Pack Factory Games – Slushy AJ Makeup and Fashion – Kangai Mwiti Music – Yellow Brick Cinema News and politics – Millard Ayo Nonprofit – Jim Nduruchi People and Blogs – Suzelle DIY Pets and animals – Earth Touch Top Subscribed Creator in Uganda – Kansiime Anne Top Subscribed Creator in Ghana – OfficialSarkodie Top Subscribed Creator in Kenya – Churchill Show Top Subscribed Creator in Nigeria – Mark Angel Comedy Top Subscribed Creator in Senegal – Prince Arts Top Subscribed Creator in South Africa – Yellow Brick Cinema Top Subscribed Creator in Tanzania – DiamondPlatnumz Top Subscribed Creator in Zimbabwe – Mufti Menk Top Subscribed Nollywood Channel – IbakaTV/Nollywood Special mention: Yellow Brick Cinema which recently reached 1 million subscribers and was awarded a YouTube Gold Play Button in recognition of the achievement.
