Addis Ababa Hosts Africa’s First Social Media Influencers Summit

Mintesinot Niggusie

More than 180 social media influencers and digital content creators from across Africa gathered in Addis Ababa this week for what organisers described as the continent’s first African social media influencers summit, highlighting the growing influence of the creator economy in shaping Africa’s digital and cultural narratives.

The two-day summit, held at the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum, brought together 60 participants from various African countries alongside 120 Ethiopian content creators under the theme “Creating Impact for a Better Africa”.

The event was organised by AGA Tech Enterprise in collaboration with Pulse of Africa Media. Among the high-profile attendees were Wode Maya, Botswana-based comedian and digital creator William Last KRM, as well as influencers including Nyako Nyako, CB Talker, Simpo Gladys and Mbote Njogu.

Discussions during the summit focused on the role of digital platforms in promoting Africa’s image globally, the growing influence of online creators in shaping public narratives, and the expanding use of Artificial Intelligence in digital media and creative industries.

Panel discussions and workshops explored digital storytelling, audience engagement, content monetisation and the use of AI-powered tools in content production and communication.

Organisers said the summit aimed to encourage Africans to tell the continent’s stories through locally driven platforms while strengthening collaboration among creators, media organisations, technology firms and policymakers.

Bereket Sisay, coordinator of Pulse of Africa Media, said African creators should play a stronger role in presenting the continent’s realities and opportunities through their own channels and narratives.

Senior officials from Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute attended the programme, reflecting growing institutional interest in digital innovation and the expanding creator economy.

Participants also toured technology and innovation centres in Addis Ababa as part of the summit programme.