Celebrating African Creativity: Google Partners With African Union To launch #DiscoverMyAfrica

African Union Flag. Photo credit: PA/ DPA/ S. Stache

The Office of the African Union Chairperson’s Youth Envoy and Google have announced the launch of the #DiscoverMyAfrica Shorts Challenge. It is a month-long initiative to celebrate the rich diversity, heritage, and vibrant spirit of the African continent.

Throughout May, YouTube creators across Africa are invited to share short videos capturing their unique perspectives, using the hashtag #DiscoverMyAfrica.

The YouTube Shorts Challenge encourages creators to showcase various facets of African life. They can target any categories, from music and art to food, fashion, and local landmarks. YouTube is also celebrating Africa’s vibrant music sceney with YouTube Music Nights in Nigeria and South Africa. This will showcase the infectious rhythms of Afrobeats and Amapiano. Two dedicated playlists, “Africa’s Next Wave” and “Africa Superstars,” will highlight emerging talent and iconic voices that have made the continent a global music powerhouse.

#DiscoverMyAfrica

African Union Chairperson’s Youth Envoy, Chido Mpemba, said: “#DiscoverMyAfrica empowers African youth to share their stories and rich cultural heritage globally. Partnering with Google fosters creative expression and dialogue on content responsibility, digital preservation, and AI’s impact on Africa’s creative industries. This aligns with our vision for a digitally-enabled Africa harnessing cultural wealth for economic growth and social progress.”

Nollywood superstar and style icon Osas Ighodaro will immerse luxurious Lagos viewers with her new show “Spa with Osas.” Enioluwa and The Geng will also unravel the drama and secrets of high school elites in their series, All of Us. And comedy superstar Broda Shaggi will bring the laughs with his hilarious new project, Shaggi’s Palava. These exciting new shows will premiere exclusively on YouTube.

Aspiring filmmakers and content creators can also take advantage of specialised workshops designed to hone their skills and expand their reach. A dedicated Nollywood workshop in Nigeria and broader #DiscoverMyAfrica workshops for content creators will offer valuable insights and resources to creators at all levels.

Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa at YouTube, Addy Awofisayo, also had something to say. “We are committed to supporting the diverse voices and talents that makeup Africa’s creative landscape.”

“These initiatives provide valuable resources and platforms for African filmmakers, musicians, and content creators to share their stories and connect with global audiences.”