Anchi Vibes on Winning TikTok Africa's Creator of the Year Award

Reflecting on her growth in 2024, the creator attributes her success to content diversification. "I incorporated so many things to be different, from movie reviews to attending influencers' birthdays to give fans a glimpse of the events, and giving timely updates on entertainment news and trends." She believes this adaptability in an ever-evolving digital space set her apart from the competition and led to her win.

Ayanwu's journey as a content creator began in 2021 after resigning from her job as a customer representative at a financial institution. Initially, she created videos on TikTok for fun while managing a small business. Her consistency and creativity eventually led her to a professional role, securing a position as a senior social media manager at Pulse Nigeria.

Discussing her creative process, she explained: "I draw inspiration from personal experiences. I work in an entertainment and news space, so over time, my creative process has become more structured: I start with thorough research for the latest trends, watch movies and TV shows, allow ideas to develop naturally, and then refine them to produce authentic content that resonates with my audience."

Herfirst viral moment came unexpectedly— a slow-motion clip set to the gospel song "Kumama," which skyrocketed in engagement after actress Funke Akindele reposted it. "I didn't think it would go viral, to be honest," she admitted.

Anchi Vibes' first viral TikTok​

Event Highlights

Award-winning media personalityPamela Mtanga took center stage as host of the Awards, celebrating outstanding creators across multiple categories, including Fashion, Social Impact, Sports, Breakthrough Artist, and Beauty Creator of the Year. "Hosting the TikTok Africa Creator Awards is such an incredible way to start the year," Mtanga shared in a press statement. "The platform has played a huge role in shaping digital culture, and to be at the center of this celebration is an honor."

The evening kicked off with a high-energy performance by multi-platinum amapiano starZee Nxumalo, highlighting the strong connection between digital content creation and Africa's thriving music scene. "TikTok has been such a huge part of my journey, and I love how it brings artists and fans together in new ways," Nxumalo remarked.

Zee Nxumalo gave a stellar performance at TikTok Awards

Among the night's winners was Kenyan comedianFlaqo Raz, who took home theEntertainment Culture Creator of the Year award. With 2.4 million followers, Flaqo has established himself as one of TikTok's leading entertainers through his popular comedy skits. In a video message to his fans, he expressed genuine surprise at his international reach: "I was actually surprised that even people from South Africa and Nigeria, like, actually know me. What? I'm honestly very happy. Thank you guys so much."South African influencer Siya Bani, akaSiya Bunny, was also honored, winning the Fashion Creator award. She shared the update to her TikTok, writing, "Thank you for voting for me."

“We are so proud of all our winners, nominees, and every creator who made 2024 a year of bold creativity on TikTok. Whether you’re an artist, a storyteller, a trendsetter, or just someone having fun, this platform is yours to shine on,” TikTok shared in a blog post.

Complete List of Award Winners

• Creator of the Year – @anchi_vibes (Nigeria)
• Breakthrough Artist of the Year – @brownjoelofficial, @boypeee, @hycethegreat1 (Nigeria)
• Sports Creator of the Year – @zerobrainer0 (Tanzania)
• Runner-up: @themanchesterderby2.0 (South Africa)
• Food Creator of the Year – @simpleyemi (Kenya)
• Runner-up: @tspiceskitchen (Nigeria)
• Travel Creator of the Year – @campsbaygirl (South Africa)
• Runner-up: @edward.wonder (Nigeria)
• Fashion Creator of the Year – @siyabunny (South Africa)
• Runner-up: @thisthingcalledfashion (Nigeria)
• Beauty Creator of the Year – @colourme__sim (South Africa)
• Runner-up: @makeover_by_ceecee (Kenya)
• Entertainment Culture Creator of the Year – @flaqoraz (Kenya)
• Runner-up: @anchi_vibes (Nigeria)

As TikTok continues to grow in popularity across the continent, events like these play a crucial role in acknowledging and encouraging the diverse talents that contribute to the app's vibrant digital culture.