Ten Nigerians, Twelve South Africans and Four Kenyans Selected for #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund 2022

Barely two years after announcing that Nigerian content creators can participate in the #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund initiative, YouTube has released names of the second batch of Nigerians and other African creators selected for the #YouTubeBlack Creator Class of 2022.

Ten Nigerian YouTube content creators were selected while a total of 26 content creators were selected across three African nations. Twelve South African content creators made the list, the largest from the three African nations. The remaining four were selected from Kenya.

#YouTubeBlack Voices Fund is a $100 million fund instituted in June 2020 to offer financial support for black artists and creators across the world when the COVID-19 pandemic plunged business profits and disrupted global commerce.

Investors King had reported that YouTube initially launched the initiative in the United States and a few other countries before extending it to Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya in October of 2020.

The 26 Africans selected will now receive seed funding alongside support to help them grow their channels, including improving their offerings, revenue generation and others. They are also expected to participate in bespoke and hands-on training, workshops and networking programmes.

How to be Selected for the Next #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund Initiative

One obvious criteria is originality. Create content that makes a difference in your community by enlightening and educating people on societal challenges and how the masses can navigate them like Fisayo Fosudo, who uses his channel to educate people on technological know-how and how to earn a legitimate living via various fintech platforms in Nigeria.

Others like South African, Nozibele Qamngana use her channel to openly discuss HIV/AIDs issues and create awareness in South Africa and Africa as a whole. She has won awards doing so. Basically, creators need to start creating content that makes a difference.

Please note that you do not need a large following/subscribers or a certain niche to be selected. Data Pepple has less than 10,000 subscribers and Adaeze’s Space is about motherhood, womanhood, and lifestyle. Just be original regardless of what you do.

Applications are currently closed for #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund. However, to apply when applications are opened click here.

Here are the names and URLs of Africa’s content creators selected for the #YouTubeBlack Voices Creator Class of 2022 below.

Commenting on the selection, Alex Okosi, MD, Emerging Markets, YouTube EMEA, said “We are excited to be working with an outstanding group of young and talented African creators who understand that content that resonates with their audience is both entertaining and thought-provoking”.

He added that “This group of creators is making content that starts important conversations about issues we face in society, which really resonate with their audience. We are inspired by them and hope that the skills they learn from being part of this programme will help them touch more lives than they’d ever imagined”.