By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Ethiopia, 7 May 2026 - Addis Ababa has become the centre of a new wave of African storytelling, as content creators, comedians and online personalities from across the continent gather for the first-ever African Social Media Influencer Summit.
Hosted at the Pulse of Africa (POA) production studio, the event has brought together creators from countries including Sierra Leone and Eswatini, many of whom are visiting Ethiopia for the first time.
Beyond networking, the summit is serving as a platform for collaboration, content creation and a shared mission, to redefine how Africa is seen by the world.
For several participants, the experience has been eye-opening, challenging long-held perceptions shaped by global narratives.
Sierra Leonean content creator Boise Kreesh captured this sentiment shortly after arriving. “Ethiopia is very beautiful,” he said. “From the hospitality to the atmosphere, we are grateful for the warm welcome.”
Among the voices reshaping the narrative is Goko, one half of a popular comedy duo from Eswatini, who described his arrival in the Ethiopian capital as transformative. “When you land here, you realize the world has been wrong about Africa,” he said. “
The lights of Addis Ababa, the beauty of the city, the food, the people, everything changes the narrative many people have about this continent.”
He added a lighter note, praising a local favourite.
“I have to take this tea back to my country,” he said. “It’s strong, special, and unforgettable.”
What is emerging from the summit is more than just a gathering, it is a growing movement. Participants repeatedly emphasised the importance of Africans taking control of their own stories, using digital platforms to showcase the continent’s diversity, creativity and potential.
“There is a story Africa needs to tell,” one participant noted.
“And we are the right voices to tell it because we are Africans.”
This message was echoed throughout the sessions, where creators spoke about building a unified African digital community capable of amplifying authentic narratives and countering outdated stereotypes.
Another participant pointed to a powerful slogan seen in Addis Ababa, “Africa is rich, not poor”as a reminder of the continent’s untapped potential.
“The world often sees Africa through the wrong lens,” he said.
“But Africa is rich in talent, culture, minerals, creativity, and human potential. This summit is helping us make noise about the real Africa, the brightest continent.”
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Social media platforms, particularly short-form video platforms, were highlighted as critical tools in this transformation.
Creators described how digital content is breaking down barriers of language and geography, connecting audiences across borders in ways traditional media has struggled to achieve.
One Sierra Leonean creator reflected on his journey into the space, noting how powerful the medium can be.
“With content creation, you can communicate with people even if they don’t understand your language,” he said.
“It brings people together. Today, I am here because I believed in that power.”
Comedy, in particular, emerged as a unifying force during the summit. Creators described humor as a universal language that resonates across cultures.
“Comedy is one of the most powerful tools in content creation,” one participant said. “We use it to address serious social issues, socially, economically, politically, but in a way people can easily understand and enjoy.”
Another added that in an increasingly complex world, audiences are often seeking relief through laughter.
“The world can be stressful and heavy,” the influencer explained.
Sometimes people watch comedy just to laugh away their stress. That connection is powerful.”
By hosting the summit, Addis Ababa is reinforcing its position as a hub for continental dialogue and collaboration, not just in politics and diplomacy, but increasingly in culture and digital innovation.
As discussions continue, one thing is clear: Africa’s next global narrative may not be shaped in newsrooms alone. It is being created in real time, through smartphones, cameras, and the voices of a new generation determined to tell their own story, on their own terms.
Africa’s Digital Creators Unite in Addis Ababa to Reshape the Continent’s Global Narrative
Creators from across Africa gather for first continental influencer summit