IShowSpeed officially granted Ghanaian passport
By Steve Ireri, January 28, 2026The Government of Ghana has approved the issuance of a Ghanaian passport to American streamer Darren Jason Watkins Jr, popularly known as IShowSpeed, following the conclusion of his multi-country African tour.
The announcement was made by Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, who disclosed that the decision followed discussions with Ghanaian YouTuber Wode Maya and subsequent confirmation of what he described as the irrefutable ties of IShowSpeed to Ghana.
“@wode_maya following our discussions and subsequent confirmation of the irrefutable ties of IShowSpeed to Ghana, I am pleased to inform you and our compatriots that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has approved the issuance of a Ghanaian Passport to IShowSpeed,” the minister wrote.
According to the minister, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had officially approved the issuance of a Ghanaian passport to the streamer.
He praised IShowSpeed for continuing to make Ghana and the African continent proud through his work, describing both IShowSpeed and Wode Maya as worthy ambassadors of the country.
“Keep making our great nation, Ghana, and our beloved African continent proud. Ghana celebrates you both — you remain our worthy ambassadors, and we are ever so delighted to have granted you a diplomatic passport last year. For God, Country & Continent,” he added.
Whirlwind African tour
The Namibia livestream, which marked his last stop, followed a whirlwind African tour that officially began in Angola on December 29, 2025. There, IShowSpeed spent several days interacting with fans, exploring city streets and immersing himself in local culture, livestreaming every moment.
From Angola, he travelled to South Africa, where he was greeted by massive crowds, participated in street performances and performed his signature backflips in front of ecstatic fans.
His next stop was Mozambique, where he streamed from city streets and coastal areas, joined traditional dancers and acrobats, and praised the country’s vibrant scenery and culture. In Eswatini, he explored local markets, landmarks and cultural spots, while in Botswana, he went on a jungle safari, interacting with wildlife and sharing the experience with his global audience.
IShowSpeed’s visit to Zimbabwe included city tours, street performances and fan meet-ups, followed by a brief one-day break before continuing his journey to Zambia.
There, thousands of fans welcomed him as he explored the capital, received custom artwork from local artists, sampled local cuisine and joined children during a karate class.
In Ethiopia, IShowSpeed engaged in street livestreams and cultural tours, showcasing the country’s heritage and connecting with fans. He then spent two days in Kenya, interacting closely with large crowds and livestreaming from several locations, including busy urban areas and major landmarks. Rwanda was also part of the itinerary, where he documented street culture, music and fan interactions.
His journey then took him to Morocco, where he continued to livestream from city streets, interacted with fans and participated in local cultural experiences highlighting the country’s history and traditions.
From Morocco, he travelled to Senegal, where he explored bustling markets, cultural sites and local performances, sharing the vibrant atmosphere with his global audience.
Before arriving in Benin, IShowSpeed’s penultimate stop was Nigeria, where he marked the milestone of hitting 50 million subscribers on YouTube and celebrated his 21st birthday, receiving a massive reception from fans, engaging in street performances and livestreaming the excitement in real time.
After Benin, the streamer travelled to Liberia, where his visit drew massive crowds, with hundreds of youths following him through the streets during livestreams. His time in the country was marked by emotional and viral moments as fans celebrated his presence.
He then moved on to Côte d’Ivoire, popularly known as Ivory Coast, where he continued his street livestreams and fan interactions across public spaces.
From Ivory Coast, IShowSpeed travelled to Ghana, where he received a red-carpet welcome. The organisers of the African tour are Ghanaian, and his visit attracted large crowds. He also spent time with his bodyguard Rudi’s family, including meeting his aunties, moments that were widely shared online.