Nine African Women Comedians You Should be Following
Meet the hilarious women flipping the comedy scene on its head, serving up jokes that are as sharp, real, and unforgettable as they are.
Celeste Ntuli during the 9th Savanna Comics' Choice Awards at Gold Reef City on September 07, 2019 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
If someone asked you to name five male comedians from Africa or the diaspora, you’d probably rattle them off without a second thought. But when it comes to women comedians, that list doesn’t roll off the tongue as easily.
Despite the industry being male-dominated for so long, the women in this list have carved out their space and built loyal followings in recent years. From stand-up comedians with punchy one-liners, to laugh-out-loud skitmakers with biting satire, these comedians bring the kind of humor that hits differently. They’ll leave you cracking up, thinking twice, and delighting in every minute of it.
Céline Tshika
Céline Tshika’s rising popularity is part of a recent, and broader movement of African female comedians using digital platforms to reach audiences worldwide. The DR Congo-born, South Africa-based comedian, actress and content creator’s skits and stand-up routines are just thrilling. She’s gained popularity through her relatable humor about her experiences as an immigrant, cultural identity, relationships, social dynamics, and everyday challenges. There’s very little topics Tshika hasn’t put her own spin on. The "bear or man" debate? Check. Capitalism? Check. The lows and woes of adulthood? You’ll find her take on those, and often with an insanely catchy, humorously musical twist to it.
Anne Kansiime
Whether Anne Kansiime is playing the sassy market woman or the nosy auntie, she knows how to spin ordinary situations into something hilariously real—especially on her YouTube sketch comedy show Don’t Mess with Kansiime.
Kansiime is so enjoyable because she’s all about capturing those moments we’ve all been through: family drama, awkward encounters, and daily chaos. She makes the familiar feel funny, and turns the mundane into laugh-out-loud moments that hit close to home.
Anisa Nandaula
Anisa Nandaula performs regularly in Kampala’s clubs and has built a following on social media where she shares her insights and skits. As well as a poet and activist, you’ll find themes of race, gender and identity littered across Nandaula’s works. She’s become a voice that reflects the Ugandan’s experience with a refreshing flair.
Taaooma
Taaooma has been dominating the Nigerian comedic scene long before she collaborated with Terry Crews and King Bach this year. One of the most followed Nigerian comedians with over 10 million users across Instagram, Tiktok and X, Taaooma is best known for playing multiple characters in her skits, often portraying typical Nigerian family dynamics with the strict mother, the mischievous kid, and the no-nonsense dad. Her comedy centers the everyday drama of Nigerian households, complete with exaggerated slapstick moments and spot-on accents.
Taaooma’s skits are a hit because they’re not just funny, they’re incredibly relatable – whether it’s getting scolded by a Nigerian mother for something trivial or navigating those awkward family moments. She’s also one of few Muslim women comedians in Nigeria, and often creates hilarious content about the everyday lives of Muslim men and women.
Jacinta Ocansey
Also known as Heiress Jacinta, this Ghanaian Nigerian comedian has got audiences across West Africa cracking up. Born to a Ghanaian mother and Nigerian father, Jacinta Ocansey pulls from her mixed upbringing to serve up jokes about cultural clashes, dating disasters, and those awkward everyday moments we all know too well.
When she’s not killing it on stage, she’s across social media with skits and relatable content that feel like a chat with your funniest friend.
Celeste Ntuli
Celeste Ntuli is South Africa’s “Queen of Zulu Comedy,” and for good reason. She’s got this fearless, no-filter style that explores the messiness of everyday life – think dating disasters, cultural quirks, and the all-too-real struggles of being a woman. Ntuli first popped onto the scene in So You Think You’re Funny? where she was a finalist in 2009 and has been a comedy powerhouse ever since, lighting up stages and screens with her raw, relatable humor.
Ntuli isn’t just about cracking jokes though – she’s flipping the script on what it means to be a woman in comedy. She’s the kind of comic who makes you laugh, think, and feel seen all at once, and that’s why she’s a must-watch for anyone who loves their humor a little unfiltered, and a lot relatable.
Charity Ekezie
Charity Ezekie is funny, no one will argue that with you. If they did, they’d be wrong. But she’s doing more than making people laugh; she delivers punchy, clever takes on how the world often gets Africa all wrong. She’s not afraid to get a little sassy, making her content feel like a playful but pointed roast of all the ignorance out there. Do Africans live on trees? Do Africans get around on the backs of elephants? Do Africans sing Hakuna Matata when they wake in the mornings? Google won’t help you, and reading a book won’t help you either. But you know what will? Ekezie’s skits. Do Africans have many tribes, or is African the one tribe? Find out here.
Gina Yashere
You’ve probably seen Gina Yashere killing it on The Daily Show, Live at the Apollo, or as the co-creator and star of CBS’ Bob Hearts Abishola. She first blew up in the UK comedy scene, then took her talent to the U.S where she’s now a major player on the global stage. Her stage presence is so electric she has you hooked before she’s even started. She has that perfect blend of unapologetic, no-holds-barred humor that delivers the sharpest takes on race, culture, and immigrant life. Growing up in London with Nigerian parents will give you that superpower. Yashere is wholly, authentically herself, with comedy that’s equal parts raw, clever, and hilarious.
Yvonne Orji
You most likely know Yvonne Orji as Molly Carter from HBO’s Insecure, where she co-starred with Issa Rae and for which she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy award and three NAACP awards. But there’s much more to the Nigerian American comedian and actress. For one, she didn’t start off in entertainment—she actually has a master’s in public health and was on a completely different career path before she took the leap into comedy. She started with stand-up, using her own life as material – from immigrant struggles to awkward dating moments, and everything in between.Her comedy special, Momma, I Made It!, is a real journey packed with stories about growing up Nigerian, dealing with strict parents, and finding her way in Hollywood. Beyond the jokes, Orji is all about owning who you are and chasing your dreams, and her story is a reminder that it’s never too late to switch lanes and go after what you love.