Lagos: A Lagos-based medical doctor and health educator, Dr. Olawale Ogunlana, has been named among five Sub-Saharan African creators featured on TikTok’s Global Discover List 2026. Ogunlana, known on TikTok as @doctorwalesmd, is the founder of HealthKraft Africa and was recognized in the ‘Educators’ category of the global list, which highlights 50 influential creators shaping culture worldwide.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, TikTok’s Global Head of Content Operations, James Stafford, stated in a recent announcement that the company is dedicated to celebrating inspiring creators globally. He emphasized that TikTok is a platform where authenticity and creativity can thrive, with a focus on educators who inspire communities and individuals who share their businesses with a global audience.
Stafford also mentioned that as part of the celebrations for this year’s honorees, TikTok, in collaboration with Food Network, will host a live culinary event titled: ‘Hot List x Discover List: The Future of Flavor’, in New York City. The Annual Discover List honors creators across five categories: Icons, Innovators, Foodies, Educators, and Originators, who are driving conversations and impact on the platform.
Ogunlana, who is also one of TikTok’s Sub-Saharan Africa Wellbeing Ambassadors, is renowned for simplifying complex medical conditions into engaging videos aimed at enhancing public health awareness. Commenting on his recognition, Ogunlana expressed that the honor underscored the significance of digital platforms in advancing health communication. He highlighted that the recognition signifies the screen becoming a modern tool for reaching and educating millions simultaneously.
Additionally, other noteworthy creators featured on the 2026 list include food creators Trevor Were from Nairobi, Kenya, and Wayne Chang from Cape Town, South Africa, alongside creative entrepreneurs Cherie Kihato from Nairobi and Tamia Nontsikelelo from Johannesburg. The upcoming event will spotlight emerging talent influencing the global food scene, with Were and Chang expected to participate.
Wayne Chang, recognized in the ‘Foodies’ category, is celebrated for blending diverse Asian cuisines with South African ingredients. He views the nomination as a gateway to connecting with global food enthusiasts and enhancing brand collaborations. In the ‘Originators’ category, Cherie Kihato was acknowledged for her efforts in showcasing African heritage through her design studio, Savannah Space, while expanding her business globally through content creation.
Nontsikelelo, an entrepreneur based in Johannesburg, was celebrated for cultivating an engaged community around her modest fashion brand, Tol’thema, using storytelling and marketing strategies on TikTok. TikTok emphasized that the Discover List 2026 was curated through a global nomination process, evaluating creators based on video production, views, account growth, engagement, and content that sparked global conversations.
The initiative underscores TikTok’s role in dissolving barriers, encouraging creativity, and connecting communities worldwide. Sub-Saharan African creators first featured on the Discover List in 2025 have since gained international recognition and participated in global events, including the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.