Ethiopian Creator Abel Birhanu Wins African Travel Influencer Title

Mintesinot Niggusie

Ethiopian travel content creator Abel Birhanu has been named African Travel Influencer of the Year at the Africa Golden Awards 2026, held in Nairobi, Kenya, in a ceremony that brought together digital storytellers, lifestyle creators and public figures from across the continent.

The recognition was announced during the awards night, part of the Africa Golden Awards programme, a private pan-African platform that highlights achievements in digital media, entrepreneurship and creative industries. The event featured multiple categories, with winners selected through a mix of nominations and audience engagement depending on the segment.

Birhanu, who has built a following through travel and lifestyle storytelling across Ethiopia and beyond, framed the award as a reflection of a long, incremental journey that began with limited resources.

"We took the trophy home for Ethiopia! From the streets of my beloved hometown, Alem Gena, to standing on a global stage representing my country, it has been an incredible journey," wrote Birhanu on social media.

He recalled starting content creation with basic equipment and a focus on documenting everyday life and travel experiences. "I remember when I first started out with nothing but an old, beat-up phone camera. Back then, all I had was a vision to see the world and a passion to share those stories," he said.

Birhanu dedicated the recognition to his audience, describing the award as a shared milestone shaped by sustained online support. "This award isn't just mine, it belongs to all of you," he said. "This win is for us."

The Africa Golden Awards operates as a privately organised recognition platform rather than a governmental or intergovernmental tourism body, with categories that spotlight digital creators whose work circulates widely across social media platforms and online audiences.