Meta Africa on Wednesday announced eight youth selected as “African Rising Stars” ahead of the 2023 Africa Day celebrations slated for May 25.
In a statement, the social networking giant stated that this year’s theme of the Africa Day will be “Rising Stars”.
The theme aims at amplifying the voices of notable African talents working to change the global perception of Africa.
Further, Meta said that the event’s focus will be on various creative industries I’m the continent.
Meta’s Director of Communications in Sub-Saharan Africa, Kezia Anim Addo, reiterated how Meta tools expose various arts by Africans to the world.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate Africa Day this year by amplifying the stories of just some of our talented rising stars from across the continent.
They are are shining a spotlight on African culture, music, food, dance, fashion, and so much more in their own voices,” Anim-Addo said.
Meta’s 8 Rising Stars in Africa
The eight Rising stars are Henry Ohanga (Kenya), Fena Gitu (Kenya), Jacqueline Gyaki (Ghana), and Njang Collins (Cameroon).
Meta also picked Adekosan Emanuel (social media comic from Nigeria), Fhatuhani Mukhlei (South African Visual artist), Enioluwa Adeoluwa (Nigerian fashion influencer) and Qhamanande Maswana (South African visual artist).
The eight figures will feature in Meta’s fire chat on May 25 for Africa Day.
Meta will also hold a special reels challenge named #ShareYourAfrica on Instagram, dedicated to where Africans will share videos of various art.
The event will be Meta’s third special edition of Africa Day celebrations.
The first edition was held in May 2021 when the ‘Made by Africa, Loved by the World’ Campaign was launched.
Since then, Meta has put notable artists from the continent in the spotlight for their various activities.
According to a report by Disrupt Africa, African tech startups raised $650 million in the first quarter of 2023, representing a 57.2 percent dip, compared to the same period in 2022.