The Government of Ghana has approved the issuance of Ghanaian citizenship to popular United States YouTuber and streamer, IShowSpeed, as he concludes a month-long tour across Africa.
Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced the decision in a post on X on Monday, saying the move followed the confirmation of what he described as the influencer’s “irrefutable ties” to Ghana.
According to Ablakwa, the government has authorised the issuance of a Ghanaian passport to the content creator in recognition of his growing connection to the country and the African continent.
“Keep making our great nation, Ghana, and our beloved African continent proud. Ghana celebrates you,” the minister wrote.
IShowSpeed, 21, is an African American social media star born Darren Jason Watkins Jr. in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is among the most-followed digital creators globally, having surpassed 50 million subscribers on YouTube this month.
The influencer was recently named Most Influential Creator of 2025 by Rolling Stone magazine, while Forbes estimates his net worth at about $20 million.
His Africa tour, which began on December 29, took him to 20 countries, where he documented his experiences for his tens of millions of followers. The tour featured visits to a diamond mine in Botswana, explorations of Ethiopia’s cuisine, and attendance at the Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco.
The tour has attracted widespread attention online, with many subscribers praising the content for showcasing Africa beyond long-held stereotypes. Several Black Americans have also shared emotional reactions, saying the videos presented a more authentic and positive image of the continent, far removed from portrayals of poverty and conflict often seen in mainstream media.
