For a long time, people thought African digital creators were just here to sell products for brands. But as the first-ever Africa Mindset Reset Forum opens today in Kigali, Rwanda, things are changing. Digital creators are no longer just making advertisements, they are helping to make important rules and shape the future of the continent.
To make sure young people have a voice in these big decisions, Influencer Africa collaborated with the African School of Governance (ASG) to bring the crucial voices of new media directly into the conversation.
Giving Young People a Seat at the Table
The event, hosted by ASG, takes place from August 25 to August 26, 2026. Prominent African statesmen and policymakers are in attendance, including Rwandan President Paul Kagame and former South African President Thabo Mbeki.
But the organizers made a very important choice: 80% of the people at this forum are young leaders.
Through this partnership, Influencer Africa is helping to make this goal a reality. The 34 creators they helped bring to Kigali are not just there to take photos or make simple videos. They are there to speak up, share the real struggles of young Africans, and explain hard political topics to millions of followers back home.
“For a long time, young Africans have been left out of the big decisions,” says Israel Laryea, Executive Head of Influencer Africa. “By bringing these 34 talented creators to Kigali, we are making sure our youth are not just listening, but are actively helping to build the Africa we all want to see. They are the true voice of the present.”
The Creatorthon: Preparing for a Mindset Shift
This collaboration started before the main forum even began. To set the stage, Influencer Africa hosted a special “Creatorthon.” This was an intimate, highly interactive session that brought the creators face-to-face with ASG leaders and forum speakers.
The Creatorthon was designed as a two-way street. It successfully prepped the creators for the heavy policy discussions ahead, but more importantly, it gave the leaders a chance to sit back and listen. During this session, the Creators shared their own grassroots experiences and outlined their unique contributions to driving a real mindset shift among the African youth.
From Just Talking to Taking Action
The main goal of the forum is to change how Africans think. It is about moving away from just talking about unity, and starting to build real solutions that work.
For these digital creators, this is already how they live. The internet does not have borders, and they know how to work together across different countries. While this historic delegation features creators from 12 specific countries, their digital reach extends far beyond that—spanning across the entire continent and deep into the global diaspora.
This curated group ensures full representation from every corner of the continent: North, West, Central, East, and South Africa, successfully bridging the gap between Anglophone and Francophone communities. Creators such as Emilien Bejuandem Tengungwoh, KALIGBE Roxane lidwine, and Frederique ange Karell Dablé are standing shoulder-to-shoulder with policymakers. They are joined by vibrant storytellers like Meryem Belkihel, Kemigisha Fiona, Alum Scova, and Turamuhawe Christine Joy, who are bringing unique regional perspectives to the table. Also lending their massive digital weight to these critical governance discussions are Léna Habib Mbaye, Redemptha W. Nsanzugwanko, Eyoel Abrham Talargie, Theshaya Naidoo, and Aissata Esperanca Sy.
Representing the entrepreneurial drive of the youth are Susan Mwongeli Munguti, Iremide Adeoye, Abdelbasset Manfouchi, Joshua Boye-Doe, and Mahder Pawlos wako. Alongside them, visionaries like Banele Rewo, Kennedy Odhiambo, Vanessa Zuba Mutesi, Sara Sitr, and Tito HARERIMANA are actively translating these high-level talks into everyday digital language for their audiences. Rounding out this powerhouse team are Solange NISHIMWE, John Seyiram Kofi Amegatse, Emmanuel Kumah Abronyeh, Ejemeka Obisinachi, Natasha Smith, Funmilayo Safi, and Darina Kayumba—each proving that the youth are ready to take charge of the continent’s narrative.
A New Era of African Storytelling
The leaders at the forum agree that Africa cannot change for the better without young people leading the way.
Because of this unique collaboration between ASG and Influencer Africa, the great ideas discussed in Kigali will not stay locked inside a meeting room. Instead, these 34 creators will share what they learn with their huge online communities, sparking important conversations across the globe.
By bringing new media into the fold, Influencer Africa and ASG are showing the world that Africa’s young storytellers are its greatest power. By treating influencers as important leaders instead of just brand ambassadors, they are helping write Africa’s next chapter.
