TikTok has announced plans to train 3,000 content creators across Sub-Saharan Africa through an expanded version of its Level Up Africa programme, stylised #LevelUpAfrica.
The announcement was made during the platform’s annual Creator Education Day held in partnership with the Kenyan government. The event brought together over 150 creators, media representatives, industry leaders and government officials.
The eight-month programme is designed to equip creators with skills to build sustainable careers in digital content creation, both on and off the platform.
Since its launch in 2021, the programme has provided training and support to African creators, helping them grow their personal brands and secure partnerships.
“The Level Up Africa Creator Education Day is a powerful opportunity for us to connect with our vibrant creator community across Kenya. It’s not just about skills development, it’s about fostering community, inspiring collaboration and opening doors for creators to take their careers to the next level. This year, we hosted over 150 guests, making it our largest creator engagement to date and a clear demonstration of TikTok’s deepening investment in Kenya,” said Boniswa Sidwaba, Head of Content Operations, Sub-Saharan Africa at TikTok.
Government officials welcomed the initiative as aligned with efforts to grow Kenya’s digital economy and create opportunities for young people.
“Kenya boasts some of the fastest internet speeds in the world, and with 3 out of 5 young people owning smartphones and the highest number of users of social media, there’s a significant opportunity for more creators to harness platforms like TikTok to share their content internationally, drive digital innovation and gain economically,” said Ambassador Philip Thigo, Special Envoy on Technology for the President.
“We commend TikTok for investing in Kenyan creatives and recognising the power of the digital economy to drive job creation. Programmes like #LevelUpAfrica align closely with our national agenda to empower creatives through innovation, skills development, and technology,” said Stephen Isaboke, Principal Secretary, State Department of Broadcasting and Telecommunications.
The event featured educational sessions and a masterclass on storytelling by Emmy award-winning writer Damaris Irungu, alongside networking opportunities with established Kenyan creators.
