Since 2005, when YouTube co-founder, Jawed Karim first posted a video of himself at the zoo, the video sharing platform has evolved in the most extraordinary ways. Yesterday, it launched its paid-for service, YouTube Red, but over the past years, it has redefined how the world consumed video content. Whereas users had to tune in to MTV or BET at a certain time to watch the latest music videos, all it takes now is searching it out on an artistes’ vevo channel.
How people create video content has also evolved. Gone are the times where one needed a Rolodex of government certifications to start a TV station. Now, all it takes is a YouTube channel to broadcast to the world. Channels like these have sprung up over the past years.
Here are a few of the more interesting ones in Africa:
BattaBox – Nigeria
Subscribers 24,330 [] Views 11,946,908
We begin from Nigeria with Battabox, owned by the former CNN West Africa correspondent, Christian Purefoy. The channel went live in 2012 and chronicles life in Nigeria from a different perspective than the one in the popular media. It’s features commentaries on Nigerian reality TV shows and documentaries of the Nigerian life.
DuchessGabrielle – Kenya
23,402 subscribers [] 2,225,444 views
Natural hair evangelists will love this. Gabrielle Mwangi shares the latest tips on maintaining natural hair with organic and easily obtainable material on this channel. It’s an extreme concoction spree on this channel.
Africa Travel Channel – South Africa
12,824 subscribers [] 19,986,526 views
Where are hottest places to visit in Africa? Where is the best place to invest in hospitality and tourism? The Africa Travel Channel showcases hospitality and travel to tourists and investors in Africa. Their commentary on holiday spots and investment opportunities in Africa highlight high growth regions and share tips on how best to make most of the trips to Africa.
Whatsup Africa – Nigeria/UK
15,212 subscribers [] 3,255,883 views
Owned and run by Ikenna Azuike, Nigerian-British lawyer-turned journalist, Whatsup Africa is a light satirical commentary on African politics, economics and lifestyle. Ikenna attempts to balance out the often “inaccurate portrayal of Africa in Western media.”
Pure Estrogen – Zambia
30,081 subscribers [] 3,294,987 views
At 30,000 subscribers, Pure Estrogen is one of the most subscribed channels in Africa. The resident vloger is Luyando Handia. She gives tips on natural hair, health and fitness, and beauty. Most of Pure Estrogen is really just about natural hair, and she makes you want to submit to the force of afro the way she talks about it. Luyando also blogs at pureestrogen.com
Photo Credit: Esther Vargas via Compfight cc
