"From Visitor to Citizen: iShowSpeed Officially Gains Ghanaian Nationality"

IShowSpeed (American YouTuber and online streamer)

Darren Jason Watkins Jr., better known as IShowSpeed, is a 21-year-old from the US. Born in Ohio, he is now one of the most famous influencers in the world.

Foreign Minister Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa said in an X post on Monday that following “confirmation of the irrefutable ties of IShowSpeed to Ghana”, his government “has approved the issuance of a Ghanaian Passport to IShowSpeed”.

“Keep making our great nation Ghana, and our beloved African continent proud. Ghana celebrates you,” the minister said.

Darren Jason Watkins Jr., better known as IShowSpeed, is a 21-year-old American and one of the world’s biggest influencers.

He’s had a massive year: he reached 50 million YouTube subscribers this month, Rolling Stone named him the most influential creator of 2025, and Forbes reckons he is worth about £15 million ($20 million).

Since late December, the YouTube and Twitch star has been on a huge tour across 20 countries. He’s been showing his fans a new side of Africa, from visiting a diamond mine in Botswana and trying the food in Ethiopia to watching the Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco.

Fans have loved his videos from across Africa. Some Black Americans even posted emotional clips saying that IShowSpeed has changed how they see the continent. They feel he’s shown a side of Africa that is completely different from the usual TV stereotypes of constant poverty and trouble.