Google says 10 Nigerian creators and 16 from other African countries have been selected to receive the second edition of the YouTube Black Voice fund.

Alex Okosi, the Managing Director of Emerging Markets, YouTube EMEA, stated this in a statement on Thursday.

He said each of the 26 African YouTubers selected would receive seed funding alongside dedicated support to help them develop their channels.

Mr Okosi said the selected YouTubers would also take part in bespoke and hands-on training, workshops and networking programmes.

According to him, “This group of creators is making content that starts important conversations about issues we face in society, which really resonates with their audience.

“We are inspired by them and hope that the skills they learn from being part of this programme will help them touch more lives than they had ever imagined.

“This is the second class of African creators in the #YouTube Black Voices Fund which is now established as a multi-year commitment aimed at nurturing Black creators and artists on YouTube,” he said.

Mr Okosi said that in 2021, the programme welcomed 133 grantees from Australia, Brazil, Kenya, Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Brazil, and United States in its inaugural edition.

According to him, it has the plans to invest directly in no fewer than 500 innovators and artists globally to fulfill its objective.

He listed selected creators as Wendy Angel Nagayo, Kenya; Cheyenne Chelimo, Kenya; Mandi Sarro, Kenya; Justus Nandwa; Adaeze Jideonwo, Nigeria; and Chinyere Abang, Nigeria.

“Others are Data Willie-Pepple, Nigeria; Oluwafisayo Fosudo, Nigeria; Ikede Oluwafunmilayo, Nigeria; Chima Chikodinaka, Nigeria; Nwamaka Izugbara, Nigeria; Ndukwe Stephen, Nigeria; Olawale Adetula, Nigeria and Halima Yusuf Rabin, also from Nigeria.

“The critics’ companies are South Africa’s Bongani, South Africa’s Dennis Ngango, South Africa’s Nico Norway, among others,” he added.

(NAN)