One of the world's most popular content creators has been attracting huge crowds, mostly his young fans, as he undertakes a 20-nation tour of Africa, a continent he says is full of surprises.
Pre-teen boys in Rwanda and Ethiopia cried with joy and excitement as they hugged their online hero in real life - known by his gamer tag IShowSpeed or simply Speed, who now has more than 48 million YouTube subscribers. He is famous for his high-tempo, frenetic and totally unscripted broadcasts.
African Americans have also been moved to see the outpouring of love and respect shown to their countryman, who will turn 21 during his Speed Does Africa tour.
In Eswatini, he was given the name Logijimako - meaning the one who runs - during an initiation ceremony at a royal palace for him to become a warrior.
Speed, whose real name is Darren Watkins Jr, was himself momentarily overwhelmed by the reaction of fans in Angola, where one recreated a meme from his online personality.
Bro, I'm not going to lie, he told his fans during a livestream. I love the love in Africa. The energy here is crazy. Over 28 days, he and his team plan to visit 20 countries, including Nigeria and Ghana, to experience the culture and connect with fans.
Despite criticism labeling the tour superficial, Speed's presence has sparked conversations about Africa, with local organizers hoping to rewrite narratives around the continent.
As Speed continues to engage with fans and explore the diverse cultures of African nations, many are left wondering if his journey will create lasting impressions and foster deeper connections between cultures.
