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| Most Popular African Streamers in 2026 |
Discover the most popular African streamers dominating live platforms in 2026 — from Kick to Twitch, top creators from Nigeria, Morocco, South Africa, and Egypt shaping the continent’s digital entertainment scene.
Live streaming has exploded into a major entertainment and economic force across Africa. From gaming and interactive chat sessions to cultural commentary and celebrity collaborations, African streamers are drawing global audiences and breaking records. Whether you’re a fan, aspiring creator, or just curious about the continent’s digital influencers, this guide details the most popular African streamers of 2026, where they stream, what sets them apart, and how they’re shaping the future of online content.
Let’s break down the leading figures who are dominating live platforms like Twitch and Kick and building engaged communities across borders.
What Makes a Streamer “Popular” in Africa?
Before we list the top names, it’s useful to understand why these streamers stand out. Popularity in the streaming sphere typically comes from:
- Audience size — large follower counts on platforms like Twitch and Kick.
- Engagement — high concurrent viewership and community interaction.
- Content diversity — from gaming and music to celebrity chats and cultural commentary.
- Cross-platform presence — presence on YouTube, TikTok, and social networks.
African streamers are unique in that they often blend local culture, music, and humor into their live broadcasts, making their content not just popular regionally but increasingly global in reach.
1. Ilyas El Maliki (Morocco) — Africa’s Top Streamer
Platform: Kick
Followers: ~847,000+ (largest on the continent)
Topping the list is Ilyas El Maliki, easily the most followed streamer in Africa as of 2026. Hailing from Morocco, he commands massive viewership on the Kick streaming platform — drawing fans from across North Africa and beyond. His popularity surged through entertaining gameplay commentary and reaction sessions, especially around big events like the King’s World Cup Nations where he peaked with over 500,000 concurrent viewers.
Maliki’s content blends gaming with high-energy entertainment, helping him become a global figure and positioning him at the top of Africa’s streaming hierarchy this year.
2. Carter Efe (Nigeria) — Twitch’s African Powerhouse
Platform: Twitch
Followers: ~560,000+
Nigerian streamer Carter Efe sits high on the list as one of the most popular African streamers and the most followed streamer based on Twitch. Originally noted for his music, he pivoted into livestreaming with a dynamic mix of comedy, celebrity interviews, and gaming culture.
Carter’s channel captured global attention in late 2025 with a single livestream featuring Afrobeats superstar Davido that brought in over 139,000 new followers in one night — a watershed moment that helped propel his channel into one of the continent’s top tiers.
His energy and local-to-global engagement make him one of the biggest African livestreamers today.
3. Shank Comics (Nigeria) — The Pioneer
Platform: Twitch
Followers: ~258,000+
Shank Comics is one of the early trailblazers of African streaming. As the first Nigerian to reach over 100,000 followers on Twitch, his influence goes beyond his numbers — he helped open doors for other creators in the region.
His international push gained momentum in 2025 when he participated in Kai Cenat’s “Streamer University”, where he not only trained with some of the biggest names in livestreaming but also won a $10,000 prize from MrBeast’s event — boosting his visibility worldwide.
Shank’s mix of humor, storytelling, and high-energy content keeps him firmly planted among Africa’s most popular African streamers.
4. Enzo (Rynenzo) (Nigeria)
Platform: Twitch
Followers: ~204,000+
Emerging from humble beginnings, Enzo (also known as Rynenzo) exemplifies organic growth on streaming platforms. Starting with only a few hundred followers in 2023, he built an engaged community of over 200,000 by focusing on gaming quality and direct interaction.
His big moment came with a live session featuring global music star Rema, demonstrating how collaborations can elevate a streamer’s profile and expand their audience globally.
5. Peller (Nigeria) — Kick’s Rising Star
Platform: Kick
Followers: ~183,000+
Peller is one of the rising faces on Kick, where he became the first official Nigerian brand ambassador. His early adoption of the platform gave him a strategic edge, allowing his community to grow quickly among West African audiences.
Peller’s momentum got a boost in 2026 during IShowSpeed’s Lagos visit — a moment that reinforced his fanbase and solidified his position among Africa’s most popular African streamers.
6. Rachel Kay (South Africa) — Queen of African Streaming
Platform: Twitch
Followers: ~144,000+
From South Africa, Rachel Kay is one of the continent’s top female streamers, known for her high-production fantasy and RPG content. She consistently ranks among the most followed creators and often collaborates with international gaming brands.
Her presence highlights the continent’s gender diversity in streaming and underscores that African creators can build substantial global audiences while staying rooted in local gaming communities.
7. Ojo (Nigeria)
Platform: Twitch
Followers: ~66,000+
Though his total follower count is smaller, Ojo makes up for it with strong live engagement and consistent interaction. He’s known for “matchmaking” streams and community-centric content that draws repeat viewership and collaborative sessions with other streamers.
Ojo’s influence demonstrates that popularity isn’t just about follower count — it’s about community engagement and on-platform activity.
8. Salma Hassan (Egypt) — The_Salma
Platform: Twitch
Followers: ~64,000+
Egypt’s Salma Hassan, known online as The_Salma, is another leader in the African streaming space, especially within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Her energetic streams and disciplined schedule (often exceeding 300 hours monthly) have earned her a dedicated audience.
Her blend of lifestyle, gaming, and interactive content has helped expand African representation, making her one of the continent’s most popular African streamers.
9. AliasV (South Africa)
Platform: Twitch
Followers: ~34,000+
Rounding out the top ten is AliasV, a respected shoutcaster and commentator known for her Magic: The Gathering streams and esports insights. Her expertise elevates niche content and shows how specialization can still draw a global audience.
What This Rankings Trend Tells Us
The current list of most popular African streamers — led by Morocco’s Ilyas El Maliki and followed by a strong Nigerian contingent — reflects broader regional dynamics:
- Nigeria dominates African streaming with multiple creators in the top ten.
- Twitch remains vital for West and Southern African creators, while Kick attracts North African audiences with different incentives. rations with music stars and global personalities** have pushed visibility and follower growth.
Across platforms like Twitch, Kick, and YouTube — where many streamers maintain presence — African creators are turning live content into careers and community hubs.
How to Watch and Support These Streamers
To follow any of these top names:
- Visit their Twitch channels (e.g., @carterefe, @shankcomics)
- Subscribe to updates on Kick for creators like Ilyas El Maliki and Peller
- Follow their highlights and clips on YouTube — the official YouTube platform
- Engage respectfully in chat and support through follows, subscriptions, or community events
If you’re new to streaming, platforms like Twitch and Kick offer official apps and web interfaces where you can watch live content, join chats, or subscribe to newsletters. (Link to official Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/ and Kick: https://www.kick.com/)
Ready to stream in? Follow your favorite African creators on Twitch and Kick today — and join a community that’s shaping the future of digital entertainment across the continent.
Conclusion: Africa’s Streaming Giants in 2026
From Morocco’s Ilyas El Maliki leading the charts to Nigerian stars like Carter Efe and Shank Comics driving cultural crossovers, the list of most popular African streamers in 2026 showcases a vibrant and fast-growing ecosystem. These creators aren’t just amassing followers; they’re building international conversations around gaming, culture, pop music, and community.
As streaming technology evolves and internet access expands across Africa, expect even greater diversity in the creators taking the stage — and maybe the next big streamer from your hometown.
Follow these streamers, engage with their communities, and explore live entertainment from across Africa — the digital revolution is streaming now!
