Beyond Brand Influence: How African creators are shaping policy and governance – the role of Influencer Africa

 

For a long time, people thought African digital creators were just here to sell products

for brands. But as the first-ever Africa Mindset Reset Forum opens today in Kigali,

Rwanda, things are changing. Digital creators are no longer just making

advertisements, they are helping to make important rules and shape the future of the

continent.

To make sure young people have a voice in these big decisions, Influencer Africa

collaborated with the African School of Governance (ASG) to bring the crucial voices of

new media directly into the conversation.

Giving Young People a Seat at the Table

The event, hosted by ASG, takes place from August 25 to August 26, 2026. Prominent

African statesmen and policymakers are in attendance, including Rwandan President

Paul Kagame and former South African President Thabo Mbeki.

But the organizers made a very important choice: 80% of the people at this forum are

young leaders.

Through this partnership, Influencer Africa is helping to make this goal a reality. The 34

creators they helped bring to Kigali are not just there to take photos or make simple

videos. They are there to speak up, share the real struggles of young Africans, and

explain hard political topics to millions of followers back home.

For a long time, young Africans have been left out of the big decisions, says Israel

Laryea, Executive Head of Influencer Africa. By bringing these 34 talented creators to

Kigali, we are making sure our youth are not just listening, but are actively helping to

build the Africa we all want to see. They are the true voice of the present.

The Creatorthon: Preparing for a Mindset Shift

This collaboration started before the main forum even began. To set the stage,

Influencer Africa hosted a special "Creatorthon." This was an intimate, highly

interactive session that brought the creators face-to-face with ASG leaders and forum

speakers.

The Creatorthon was designed as a two-way street. It successfully prepped the creators

for the heavy policy discussions ahead, but more importantly, it gave the leaders a

chance to sit back and listen. During this session, the Creators shared their own

grassroots experiences and outlined their unique contributions to driving a real mindset

shift among the African youth.

From Just Talking to Taking Action

The main goal of the forum is to change how Africans think. It is about moving away

from just talking about unity, and starting to build real solutions that work.

For these digital creators, this is already how they live. The internet does not have

borders, and they know how to work together across different countries. While this

historic delegation features creators from 12 specific countries, their digital reach

extends far beyond that—spanning across the entire continent and deep into the global

diaspora.

This curated group ensures full representation from every corner of the continent: North,

West, Central, East, and South Africa, successfully bridging the gap between

Anglophone and Francophone communities. Creators such as Emilien Bejuandem

Tengungwoh, KALIGBE Roxane lidwine, and Frederique ange Karell Dablé are standing

shoulder-to-shoulder with policymakers. They are joined by vibrant storytellers like

Meryem Belkihel, Kemigisha Fiona, Alum Scova, and Turamuhawe Christine Joy, who

are bringing unique regional perspectives to the table. Also lending their massive digital

weight to these critical governance discussions are Léna Habib Mbaye, Redemptha W.

Nsanzugwanko, Eyoel Abrham Talargie, Theshaya Naidoo, and Aissata Esperanca Sy.

Representing the entrepreneurial drive of the youth are Susan Mwongeli Munguti,

Iremide Adeoye, Abdelbasset Manfouchi, Joshua Boye-Doe, and Mahder Pawlos wako.

Alongside them, visionaries like Banele Rewo, Kennedy Odhiambo, Vanessa Zuba

Mutesi, Sara Sitr, and Tito HARERIMANA are actively translating these high-level talks

into everyday digital language for their audiences. Rounding out this powerhouse team

are Solange NISHIMWE, John Seyiram Kofi Amegatse, Emmanuel Kumah Abronyeh,

Ejemeka Obisinachi, Natasha Smith, Funmilayo Safi, and Darina Kayumba—each

proving that the youth are ready to take charge of the continent  narrative.