Africa’s digital ecosystem has witnessed a dramatic transformation within a matter of days, as live streaming evolved from a fringe pastime into a fast-growing, multi-million-dollar industry. What was once dominated by a small circle of gaming enthusiasts in South Africa has been reshaped by a surge from West Africa, triggered by the arrival and influence of global streaming stars in Lagos and Accra.

The growing attention of international figures such as Kai Cenat and IShowSpeed sparked intense local engagement, accelerating the rise of African streamers from social media personalities to full-scale broadcasters commanding large, loyal audiences across the continent.

To reflect the industry’s realities in 2026, the ranking of Africa’s top streamers is anchored on combined followership across Twitch and Kick. This approach captures the continent’s evolving streaming patterns, as creators in West and Southern Africa continue to dominate Twitch, while leading North African streamers increasingly leverage Kick’s creator-friendly incentives.

By consolidating audiences across both platforms, the metric provides a clearer measure of genuine influence, prioritising committed viewership over fleeting social media visibility and offering a more accurate snapshot of Africa’s elite streaming landscape.

Here are the Biggest African Streamers in 2026:

1. Ilyas El Maliki (Morocco) – 847,000+ followers

Primary Platform: KICK (@ilyaselmaliki)

Morocco’s Ilyas El Maliki has emerged as Africa’s most dominant streamer, commanding the largest audience on Kick. He drew global attention after peaking at over 500,000 concurrent viewers during his commentary at the King’s World Cup Nations. Known for his unfiltered delivery in Moroccan Darija, El Maliki built his following through reaction-based content and entertainment-driven gameplay, notably GTA V. He covered the King’s World Cup as chairman of Morocco’s national team, which reached the semi-finals, rather than as a neutral commentator. Backed by a massive and unified North African audience, El Maliki is widely regarded as Africa’s biggest streamer in 2026.

2. Carter Efe (Nigeria) – 560,000+ followers

Primary Platform: Twitch (@carterefe)

Nigerian comedian-turned-streamer Carter Efe, born Oderhowho Joseph Efe, has successfully converted his “Machala” music fame into a formidable streaming career. His Twitch channel blends street-pop culture, celebrity interviews, and interactive variety content, earning him the title of the most-followed Africa-based creator on the platform. His profile surged in late 2025 after a record-breaking livestream with Davido delivered 139,000 new followers in one night. Hosting top Nigerian and international stars, Carter has positioned his channel as a bridge between Afrobeats and the global streaming scene, cementing his place among Africa’s elite creators.

3. Shank Comics (Nigeria) – 258,000+ followers

Primary Platform: Twitch (@shankcomics)

Shank Comics, whose real name is Adesokan Adedeji Emmanuel, remains a trailblazer in Nigeria’s streaming space. He was the first Nigerian to surpass 100,000 followers on Twitch, a feat that redefined local possibilities. His rise gained international momentum in May 2025 when he attended Kai Cenat’s “Streamer University” in the United States as its first international participant. A $10,000 prize from MrBeast further boosted his profile, triggering a rapid surge in followers. With a focus on “Just Chatting” and variety content, Shank retains a strong legacy and cultural relevance.

4. Enzo (Nigeria) – 204,000+ followers

Primary Platform: Twitch (@rynenzo)

Enzo, popularly known as Rynenzo, has built his platform on consistency and organic growth. From just 200 followers in 2023, he grew his Twitch community to over 200,000 by 2026 through a focus on pure gaming content. His discipline earned him a place at Kai Cenat’s “Streamer University” in 2025, while a landmark livestream with global music star Rema elevated his profile. Enzo is widely respected for technical excellence and long-term community building.

5. Peller (Nigeria) – 183,000+ followers

Primary Platform: KICK (@Peller)

Habeeb Hamzat Adelaja, known as Peller, is one of the standout beneficiaries of Kick’s expansion in West Africa. As Nigeria’s first official Kick brand ambassador, the 20-year-old bypassed traditional platforms to amass a large following on Kick, complemented by a growing Twitch audience. His visibility spiked in early 2026 after a widely discussed snub during IShowSpeed’s Lagos visit, which galvanised his fan base and underscored his growing influence.

6. Rachel Kay (South Africa) – 144,000+ followers

Primary Platform: Twitch (@RachelKay)

Cape Town-based Rachel Kay is Africa’s most-followed female streamer as of January 2026. Born in Miami to South African parents, she returned home as a teenager and has since become a pillar of the country’s streaming community. Known for high-production gameplay, particularly in RPG and survival titles, Rachel commands a premium global audience and is frequently cited by international brands as a benchmark for African creators.

7. Ojo (Nigeria) – 66,000+ followers

Primary Platform: Twitch (@ojo_isAboy)

Ojo has carved a niche through matchmaking and community-focused content. Although his follower count is modest, his live viewership often rivals that of much larger channels. A regular collaborator within West Africa’s streaming boom, Ojo’s influence lies in engagement and consistency rather than raw numbers.

8. Salma Hassan (Egypt) – 64,000+ followers

Primary Platform: Twitch (@The_Salma)

Alexandria-based Salma Hassan, known online as The_Salma, is a major force in Egypt’s gaming scene and a member of “The 1 Team.” Renowned for her energetic morning streams and relatable style, she has built a loyal MENA audience. Logging over 300 hours of airtime in a single month, Salma stands out for discipline, consistency, and strong local appeal.

9. Lord Lamba (Nigeria) – 39,000+ followers

Primary Platform: Twitch (@lordlambaa)

Promise Kelvin Anagbogu, popularly called Lord Lamba, reflects the challenges of transitioning from viral skit-making to full-time streaming. Now based in the United States, he has sought to migrate his large social media following to Twitch through banter-driven “Just Chatting” sessions. His experience highlights the difficulties creators face when operating outside the local ecosystems that fuelled their initial growth.

10. AliasV (South Africa) – 34,000+ followers

Primary Platform: Twitch (@AliasV)

AliasV, whose real name is Eilidh Lonie, completes the top 10 as Africa’s leading professional shoutcaster. Beginning her journey in Johannesburg, she rose to global recognition after being recruited by Wizards of the Coast to host major Magic: The Gathering tournaments. Today, she combines high-level strategic insight with professional commentary, earning respect across the international esports and streaming community. (The Nation)

Update news