Though Youtube is one of the most widely used search engines in the world, it has yet to reach its full potential on the continent. But these women—many of them in the diaspora—are showing that Africa has always been ready for the smaller silver screen.
From hair to makeup to food and life advice, here are Africa’s YouTube queens:
Jackie Aina
Repping: Nigeria/USA
Subscribers: 839,577
This LA-based Nigerian beauty is working hard to ensure her channel becomes the first black beauty channel to reach one million subscribers. Her spot-on beauty tips, slay-worthy looks and “LOL” personality will keep you coming back for more.
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Theodora Lee
Repping: South Africa
Subscribers: 231,511
Though she is the sister to Africa’s biggest YouTube star, Theodora Lee has made her own name in the world of Youtube. An open book, she offers advice on love, life and everything you can imagine.
AfroFoodTV
Repping: Nigeria
Subscribers: 15,484
Based in the U.S., Yeti Ezeanii has found her place on Youtube teaching people how to make dishes from her native Nigeria. Click through to learn how to make Nigerian jollof like a superstar.
Chanel Ambrose
Repping: Ghana/ UK
Subscribers: 229,336
Beauty blogger Chanel Ambrose reps for the fuller-figured women with confidence and flair. We first met her as Chanel Boateng, but the Ghanaian-born makeup artist and stylist recently changed a name to reflect her marriage — a sign that her strong following has grown and changed with her over time.
Pure Estrogen
Repping: Zambia
Subscribers: 41,338
Beauty and hair vlogs are always popular, and with the strength of the natural hair movement moving through the continent, some of Africa’s own are becoming hair vlog stars. Zambian Luyando Handia—Lulu for short—is one of Africa’s top vloggers. She has documented her hair growth with cute styles that you, too, can replicate. She is representing the Southern African country well.
Bellesa Africa
Repping: Kenya
Subscribers: 95,838
Based in Kenya, Bellesa Africa founder Kangai Mwiti has learned to create looks with products that she knows an East African audience will have access to. A self-trained artist, she is hugely popular for how accessible she makes her tutorials.
SuzelleDIY
Repping: South Africa
Subscribers: 100,150
This South African DIY queen uses her channel to show us that anyone can grab a hammer and build their dream “whatever-comes-to-mind.” With tutorials on how to make your greenhouse to creating your own Christmas crackers, hours of your day will be spent clicking from video to video.
Shirley B. Eniang
Repping: Nigeria/Ghana/UK
Subscribers: 702,552
As one of the UK’s top beauty and style bloggers, Shirley doesn’t hide her African heritage (especially when dancing alongside her sister Kezia — another Youtuber. Her minimal style and impeccable makeup is always something to check out.
TYLA
Subscribers: 74,277
The only francophone Africans on the list, Betty Richoux and Ornella Mayassi are two dope Youtubers based out of Paris. With gorgeous style, the two stylists use their channel to discuss anything and everything that affects the young independent Parisian woman. We have already featured them in our list of African women to follow on social media. And don’t worry non-French speakers! They have subtitles.