The government of Ethiopia has hosted the inaugural African Social Media Influencers Summit in Addis Ababa, bringing together digital creators from across the continent to promote African culture, tourism and authentic storytelling.
The summit attracted 61 influencers from 30 African countries alongside 120 Ethiopian content creators, in what organisers described as a major step toward strengthening Africa’s digital voice and showcasing the continent through homegrown narratives.
According to organisers, the participating influencers collectively command an audience of more than 471 million followers across various social media platforms, highlighting the growing impact of digital creators in shaping global perceptions about Africa.
The gathering focused on leveraging social media as a tool for tourism promotion, cultural exchange, youth engagement and economic growth, while encouraging African creators to tell stories that reflect the continent’s heritage, innovation and opportunities.
Participants also explored ways to deepen collaboration among African influencers, tourism stakeholders and creative industry players to position Africa as a leading global destination for travel, investment and cultural experiences.
The summit further underscored Ethiopia’s growing role as a continental hub for conferences, diplomacy and cultural engagement, with Addis Ababa continuing to host major African and international events.