Addis Ababa Emerges as Symbol of Africa’s Transformation, Influencers Say

Addis Ababa, May 9, 2026 —Ethiopia’s capital is becoming a powerful symbol of Africa’s transformation, helping to challenge long-standing stereotypes and reshape global perceptions of the continent, African Social Media Influencers said

Participants at the African Social Media Influencers Summit (ASMIS 2026) in Addis Ababa emphasized that Addis Ababa reflects a new African reality marked by modern infrastructure, rapid urban development, improved security, and a growing creative economy.

In an exclusive interview with ENA, Nigerian influencer Isaac S. Iwarek, popularly known as Young15, said his visit to Addis Ababa had significantly changed his perception of Africa’s development.

“Since I came to Ethiopia, especially Addis Ababa, I have seen that Africa is really improving,” he said.

He noted that the city’s modern roads, clean environment, green public spaces, and strong sense of security sharply contrast with outdated global narratives about Africa.

“The narrative people have about Africa is completely different from what I am seeing here,” he added.

Young15 said the content he shared from Addis Ababa generated strong engagement from international audiences, many of whom expressed surprise at the city’s level of development.

“Most of the comments are like, ‘Wow, we didn’t know Africa is this beautiful,’” he said.

He stressed that when creators from different countries share similar experiences from Addis Ababa, it strengthens credibility and helps reshape global perceptions of the continent.

“When people see the same thing from many influencers from different countries, they will know this is not AI. Africa is really rising,” he said.

According to him, Africa is increasingly emerging as a destination for tourism, investment, and long-term residence, with Addis Ababa standing out as one of the continent’s leading examples of urban progress.

Another participant, Nigerian political satirical comedian KevinBlac, popularly known as Governor Amuneke, said hosting the summit in Addis Ababa demonstrates the city’s growing role as a center for African unity, culture, and creative collaboration.

“This is amazing to witness, bringing African creators together in Addis Ababa,” he said. “It should not be a one-time event. It should happen every year, in different countries, to strengthen African collaboration.”

He added that Addis Ababa offers a strong platform for showcasing Africa’s cultural richness and development, while encouraging greater cooperation among creators across the continent.

Also speaking at the summit, Nigerian content creator and digital strategist Brain Jotter said African influencers have a responsibility to challenge outdated narratives and present the continent more accurately to the world.

“There is a very positive change in that dark narrative about Africa,” he said. “Influencers are already projecting Africa exactly as it is.”

Brain Jotter, who has more than 34 million followers across social media platforms, said digital platforms and artificial intelligence are helping creators produce high-quality content more efficiently and at lower cost, enabling them to reach wider global audiences.

“AI has been extremely helpful in advancing creativity and reducing limitations,” he said.

He noted that while artificial intelligence can be misused to spread misinformation, it also provides powerful opportunities for responsible storytelling when used properly.