American digital creator Darren Watkins Jr., professionally known as IShowSpeed, arrived in the Benin Republic to continue the West African leg of his “Speed Does Africa” tour. His visit, which began on Friday, January 23, 2026, highlights traditional Beninese customs and historic landmarks.
The streamer’s itinerary included a visit to an ancient sacred tree, where local tradition allows visitors to speak their desires to the spirits. Footage from the tour shows IShowSpeed making a wish at the site. He also attended performances by traditional groups showcasing Beninese masquerades. During the encounter, he humorously referred to the performers as “robots” due to the seamless movement of the costumes.
This cultural immersion follows a high-profile visit to Nigeria, where IShowSpeed addressed criticism over prioritizing street talent over collaborations with established influencers.
“The Africa tour was designed to highlight the cultural heartbeat of the continent, not to serve as a celebrity collaboration spree,” he explained.
The Benin Republic tour is guided by local experts who focus on traditional tourism and national heritage. IShowSpeed emphasized that his mission is to document the “actual heartbeat” of the countries he visits.
“I cannot cancel a cultural visit arranged by locals simply because an influencer wants a quick video,” he added, referring to his selective schedule.
As of Saturday, the streamer continues to explore Cotonou and surrounding historical sites. The “Speed Does Africa” project aims to give global exposure to African cultures through live-streaming and short-form videos to his more than 20 million subscribers.
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