YouTube says that content creators in Africa will receive support from it through virtual and in-person training and workshops to help them grow their channels and improve their skills.

These include a Creator 360 virtual workshop, which will allow African content creators to collaborate and share skills. It will also include in-person Creator Day workshops, which will be led by industry experts and help aspiring creators learn the skills they need to continue thriving on YouTube.

YouTube will also offer workshops under its Future Insiders Programme to empower budding producers and songwriters with hands-on training taught by seasoned producers such as Sarz and Musa Keys.

The YouTube Africa Day Concert, in partnership with Idris Elba, will return for the third year in a row as part of the Africa Month lineup. The concert will include an in-person event in Nigeria that will be live-streamed on YouTube, featuring some of the continent's 'hottest' artists.

The concert aims to commemorate Africa Day by using music as a platform to showcase African culture.

"We're incredibly proud at YouTube to provide a platform that shares Africa's creativity with the rest of the world. From music, fashion and beauty to the latest trending movements, YouTube plays an important role in the emergence and expression of Africa's unique cultural stories to local and global audiences," says Alex Okosi, managing director of Emerging Markets at YouTube Europe, the Middle East and Africa region.

"By commemorating Africa Month through these impactful initiatives, we continue to spotlight and elevate the work of creators and artists who are at the forefront of the continent's creative explosion," Okosi adds.

YouTube's longstanding commitment to the creator industry in Africa is evident in initiatives such as:
  • the '#YouTubeBlackVoices' funds
  • the YouTube Shorts fund, and
  • a USD$100 million fund designed to reward creators who make creative and unique Shorts for their contributions.
Earlier in 2022, 26 creators from Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa were among 135 creators from around the world who participated in the 2022 edition of '#YouTubeBlack' voices creator class. The creators receive seed funding alongside dedicated support to help them develop their channels and thrive on the YouTube platform.

Recently, the YouTube NextUp programme, which focuses on providing access to learning through one-on-one coaching, workshops and resources, was launched to amplify the growth of many creators across the region.

YouTube says that it aims to continue to provide a platform for African creators who are dedicated to building audiences across the globe, while also building a business and generating revenue.

The YouTube Africa Month activity schedule is as follows:
  • Creator 360 is to be held from Tuesday, 10 May to Wednesday, 11 May and is a virtual meet up.
  • Music Future Insiders Programme South Africa is to be held from Monday, 16 May to Thursday, 19 May in South Africa.
  • Creator Day Mzansi is to be held from Thursday, 19 to Friday, 20 May in South Africa.
  • Africa Day Concert will be on Wednesday, 25 May in Nigeria.
  • CreatorDay Naija Aim: Inspire, educate and engage creators is to be held on Wednesday, 25 May (10:00 to 12:30 / 14:00 to 16:30) and on Thursday, 26 May 16:00 to 21:00 in Nigeria.
  • Music Future Insiders Programme Nigeria is to be held from Wednesday, 25 May to Friday, 27 May in Nigeria.
  • An Evening with YouTube (Content and Cocktails) is to be held on Thursday, 26 May 17:00 to 21:00 in Nigeria.
  • Creator Day Kenya is to be held on Tuesday, 31 May in Kenya.
For more information, visit www.youtube.com.