US YouTube star IShowSpeed is set to receive a Ghanaian passport following the conclusion of his widely watched Africa tour, Ghana’s foreign minister has announced.
Ghana was the penultimate stop on the American influencer’s live-streamed, 20-country tour of the continent, which ended on Tuesday.
Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said his office had approved a Ghanaian passport for the YouTuber, describing him as a “worthy ambassador” after what he called confirmation of his “irrefutable ties” to the country.
Known online as IShowSpeed, the 21-year-old content creator — whose real name is Darren Watkins Jr — has more than 50 million subscribers on YouTube. His “Speed Does Africa” tour drew millions of viewers worldwide and was widely praised for challenging stereotypes about Africa and highlighting its cultural diversity.
While streaming from Ghana, IShowSpeed told his audience that his mother was Ghanaian, a claim that gained widespread attention online.
The foreign minister’s announcement was met with mixed reactions in Ghana. Many welcomed the move, while others criticised the government, accusing it of “devaluing” the country’s passport by granting it to foreign celebrities.
During his visit on Monday, IShowSpeed said he felt as though he was “back home” and toured several iconic locations across the country. He travelled to Ghana’s eastern region, where he took part in a traditional naming ceremony and was given the name Barima Kofi Akuffo while dressed in kente cloth.
Ghana has in recent years sought to strengthen ties with Africa’s global diaspora. In 2024, the country granted citizenship to more than 500 members of the diaspora, most of them African-Americans, including US singer Stevie Wonder.
Over the course of his 28-day tour, IShowSpeed visited countries including Nigeria, South Africa, Morocco and Ivory Coast. His activities ranged from racing a cheetah to dancing with members of the Maasai community.
He also celebrated his 21st birthday in Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city.
Rolling Stone magazine recently named IShowSpeed the most influential creator of 2025, while Forbes estimates his net worth at around $20m (£14.5m).