TikTok is doubling down on African talent with plans to train 3,000 content creators across the continent through its #LevelUpAfrica programme.

The platform made the announcement at its annual Creator Education Day on October 2, an event that brought together over 150 creators, industry players and government officials in what TikTok says is its largest creator gathering in Kenya to date.

The eight-month programme isn’t just about racking up views. It’s designed to help creators turn their content into actual careers, with training on everything from growth strategies to monetization and brand partnerships.

“The #LevelUpAfrica Creator Education Day is a powerful opportunity for us to connect with our vibrant creator community across Kenya. It’s not just about skills development, it’s about fostering community, inspiring collaboration, and opening doors for creators to take their careers to the next level. This year, we hosted over 150 guests, making it our largest creator engagement to date and a clear demonstration of TikTok’s deepening investment in Kenya,” said Boniswa Sidwaba, Head of Content Operations, Sub-Saharan Africa at TikTok.

The Kenyan government showed up in force, with officials pointing to the country’s fast internet speeds and high smartphone ownership among young people as perfect conditions for creator economy growth.

“Kenya boasts some of the fastest internet speeds in the world, and with 3 out of 5 young people owning smartphones and the highest number of users of social media, there’s a significant opportunity for more creators to harness platforms like TikTok to share their content internationally, drive digital innovation and gain economically,” said Amb. Philip Thigo, Special Envoy on Technology for the President.

“Kenya is becoming the Silicon Savannah not just in infrastructure, but in imagination. This partnership with TikTok is a recognition that our youth are not waiting to be employed, they are creating jobs, building brands, and driving the economy. As a government, we are committed to unlocking opportunities that helps creators thrive locally and globally,” said Dennis Itumbi, Head of Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economy.

For creators who’ve been through the programme before, the impact is real. Tech creator Roy Kanyi, who went through the first cohort in 2021, said the training transformed his approach from casual posting to building an actual brand that attracts partnerships.

The event featured a masterclass by Emmy award-winning writer Damaris Irungu and brought together some of Kenya’s most followed creators to share their journeys and strategies for success in the digital content space.