American YouTube star and streaming sensation IShowSpeed has arrived in Ethiopia as part of his “Speed Does Africa” tour, with his livestream expected to begin in less than an hour. While details of his itinerary have not been made public, each stop is likely to attract big crowds across Addis Ababa and beyond.
The tour began on December 29, 2025, and is set to take the 20-year-old creator across 20 African countries, with dates often shifting due to travel logistics.
IShowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Jason Watkins Jr., is one of the world’s most-watched English-language streamers, known for high-energy broadcasts that mix football moments, street-level culture, and fan meetups.
The tour kicked off in Angola, with further stops across Southern Africa before heading toward East Africa. In Kenya, IShowSpeed drew large crowds in Nairobi during a livestreamed city tour that included visits to popular public spots and fan-filled street moments.
Kenyan President William Ruto also welcomed the streamer in a video message shared online, calling Kenya “a pulse” and “home,” a moment that quickly circulated across social media.
Ethiopian fans have been closely following “Speed Does Africa,” especially young viewers who track his livestreams in real time. The Africa tour aims to spotlight the continent’s culture and energy through fast-paced travel, football activities, and heavy audience engagement.
IShowSpeed has a massive global following, with a combined audience of around 150 million across six major platforms worldwide.
The YouTuber began uploading to YouTube in 2016 while still in his early teens, focusing largely on gaming content, with FIFA and NBA games featuring prominently.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he ramped up his streaming schedule and expanded into more personal, off-game content. In 2023, the same year he graduated from high school, he began touring internationally. Known for his explosive energy, athleticism, and unpredictable stunts, he built a brand that matches his stage name, “IShowSpeed.”
Beyond gaming, his channel increasingly highlights the cultures, languages, and everyday life of the places he visits.