Wode Maya, hailing from Ghana, is known for his roles as a YouTube personality, vlogger, digital media influencer, and aeronautical engineer. He is also known as Berthold Kobby Winkler Ackon, his birth name. He was born on March 3, 1990 in Ahekofi, a village in the Western region of Ghana. He studied Aeronautical Engineering at Shenyang Aerospace University in China, where he also learned Mandarin. He started his YouTube channel in 2013, initially documenting his experiences as an African student in China. Later, he quit his engineering job and focused on creating content that showcases the beauty, diversity and potential of Africa.
Wode Maya is one of the most influential YouTubers in Africa, with over 1.4 million subscribers and over 200 million views as of December 2023. He has travelled to more than 40 African countries, interviewing entrepreneurs, celebrities, politicians and ordinary people. He has also collaborated with other African YouTubers, such as Miss Trudy from Kenya, who is also his wife. His videos aim to change the negative stereotypes and narratives about Africa that are often portrayed by the mainstream media. He also promotes tourism, investment and development opportunities in the continent.
Wode Maya is the first Ghanaian YouTuber to hit over a million subscribers, which he achieved in September 2021. He is also one of the few African YouTubers to reach this milestone, joining the likes of Mark Angel Comedy from Nigeria, Churchill Show from Kenya and Caspar Lee from South Africa. His estimated monthly earnings range from $5.8K to $93K, while his estimated yearly earnings range from $69.9K to $1.1M.
Wode Maya’s inspiration for starting his YouTube channel came from his desire to share his perspective as an African living in China. He also wanted to challenge the misconceptions and prejudices he faced from some Chinese people who had little or no knowledge about Africa. He said in an interview with Face2Face Africa: “I wanted to use my channel as a medium to educate my Chinese friends about Africa because they knew nothing about us.” He also added: “I wanted them to know that Africa is not what they see on TV.”
Wode Maya’s journey as a YouTuber has not been easy. He has faced many challenges and risks along the way, such as visa issues, language barriers, cultural differences, security threats and internet problems. He has also faced criticism and backlash from some people who disagree with his views or methods. However, he has also received a lot of support and appreciation from his fans and followers, who call themselves “Maya Nation”. He has also received recognition and awards for his work, such as the Online Creator Of The Year at the Entertainment Achievement Awards in 2022.
Wode Maya is not only a YouTuber, but also an entrepreneur, philanthropist and advocate for Africa. He has launched his own real estate company called Charliemag Estate in Ghana, offering affordable luxury homes for sale. He has also donated money and resources to various causes and projects in Africa, such as transforming a dumpsite into a park in Kwahu and sponsoring the education of 100 children. He has also been invited to cover global events such as the World Economic Forum and the Munich Security Conference.
Wode Maya is a role model and an inspiration for many young Africans who aspire to follow their dreams and passions. He is proof that with hard work, determination and creativity, anything is possible. He is also a testament to the power of social media and digital technology in shaping the world and changing lives.
Besides Wode Maya, there are many other African YouTubers who are making waves on the platform with their unique and engaging content. Here are some of them:
- Mark Angel Comedy: This is Nigeria’s most subscribed YouTube channel with over 8 million subscribers and over 1.5 billion views. It features hilarious comedy skits starring Mark Angel and his niece Emmanuella, who have become household names in Africa and beyond. The channel was started in 2013 by Mark Angel, a former cinematographer who wanted to showcase his talent and passion for comedy.
- Churchill Show: This is Kenya’s most subscribed YouTube channel with over 1.6 million subscribers and over 500 million views. It features stand-up comedy shows hosted by Daniel Ndambuki, also known as Churchill, who is one of the most popular comedians in Kenya. The channel was started in 2011 by Churchill, who wanted to create a platform for upcoming comedians and entertain his fans.
- Caspar Lee: This is South Africa’s most subscribed YouTube channel with over 7.5 million subscribers and over 1 billion views. It features vlogs, pranks, interviews and collaborations with other famous YouTubers and celebrities. The channel was started in 2011 by Caspar Lee, who moved to London to pursue his YouTube career and has since become one of the most successful online personalities in the world.
- Sauti Sol: This is Kenya’s most subscribed music YouTube channel with over 1.2 million subscribers and over 300 million views. It features music videos, live performances and behind-the-scenes footage of the award-winning Afro-pop band Sauti Sol, who are known for their fusion of traditional and modern sounds. The channel was started in 2009 by the band members, who wanted to share their music with the world.
- Oum Walid: This is Algeria’s most subscribed YouTube channel with over 5.8 million subscribers and over 1.3 billion views. It features cooking videos, recipes and tips on how to prepare delicious Algerian dishes and desserts. The channel was started in 2016 by Oum Walid, a housewife who wanted to share her passion for cooking with others.
These are just some of the examples of the amazing African YouTubers who are creating content that showcases the diversity, creativity and potential of the continent. They are also inspiring millions of people around the world with their stories, talents and personalities.
