Accra, Ghana — Ghana has granted citizenship to popular American YouTuber and streamer IShowSpeed, marking a historic moment as the global influencer wraps up his month-long tour of Africa.
Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced the decision in a post on X on Monday, stating that the government had approved the issuance of a Ghanaian passport to the content creator after confirming what he described as IShowSpeed’s “irrefutable ties” to the country.
“Keep making our great nation Ghana, and our beloved African continent proud. Ghana celebrates you,” the minister wrote.
IShowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Jason Watkins Jr., is a 21-year-old African American born in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is one of the most influential digital creators in the world, having surpassed 50 million subscribers on YouTube this month. Rolling Stone recently named him the Most Influential Creator of 2025, while Forbes estimates his net worth at about $20 million.
The YouTube and Twitch star began his Africa tour on December 29, visiting 20 countries across the continent. During the trip, he showcased Africa to his massive global audience—touring a diamond mine in Botswana, exploring Ethiopia’s cuisine, and attending the Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco.
His content has drawn widespread attention and praise, with many Black Americans posting emotional reactions online, saying the tour challenged long-held stereotypes about Africa. Fans credit IShowSpeed with presenting a more authentic and positive image of the continent, far removed from common portrayals of poverty and conflict.
With Ghana’s decision, the influencer’s connection to Africa has now taken on a formal and symbolic dimension, reinforcing the country’s message of openness to the African diaspora and global cultural ambassadors.
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