Ghana Moves to Grant Citizenship to IShowSpeed After Africa Tour Visit

Ghana has announced plans to grant citizenship to American YouTuber and live streamer Darren Jason Watkins Jr., popularly known as IShowSpeed, following his recent visit to the country during his ongoing Speed Does Africa tour.

The decision was disclosed by Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who revealed that his office had approved a Ghanaian passport for the 21-year-old content creator. The minister described IShowSpeed as a “worthy ambassador” whose visit helped project Ghana positively on the global stage.

According to Ablakwa, the approval came after “confirmation of the irrefutable ties of IShowSpeed to Ghana.”

During one of his livestreams in the country, IShowSpeed told his audience that his mother is Ghanaian and expressed a strong personal connection to the West African nation, saying the experience felt like he was “back home.”

His trip to Ghana forms part of his broader African tour, which has taken him through several countries across the continent.

While in Ghana, the streamer participated in various cultural activities and was warmly received by traditional leaders in Akropong, within the Akuapem Traditional Area. At a naming ceremony, he was given the traditional name Barima Kofi Akuffo. Videos from the event circulated online, showing him dressed in traditional attire as elders performed symbolic rites.

He also visited notable cultural landmarks and shared his experiences live with his global audience, further boosting attention on Ghana’s heritage and tourism.

Officials say the move to grant citizenship is in recognition of the tour’s impact and the positive exposure it has brought to the country.

IShowSpeed’s Africa tour has also included stops in Nigeria, Liberia, Rwanda, Ethiopia, and other nations, where he attracted massive crowds of young fans eager to meet him.

With over 50 million YouTube subscribers and more than 45 million Instagram followers, IShowSpeed is regarded as one of the most influential digital creators of his generation. His growing global profile was recently acknowledged by Rolling Stone, which named him the Most Influential Creator of 2025. Forbes has also estimated his net worth at around $20 million.