“The younger generation gives me hope”

Courage is a muscle that needs to be trained. We are putting people who inspire courage in the spotlight: people who are taking vigorous action in areas such as climate action, political education, international understanding, and refugee protection.

He talks about Africa in a nuanced, personal way, going beyond familiar clichés. Known online as “deinbrudersteve”, Stève Hiobi uses his social media channels to explain global connections, put current developments into context and make African perspectives visible. On his channels, he takes his audience to the G20 summit in South Africa, introduces successful start-ups from across the African continent and shows how fast fashion in Ghana places a massive burden on people and the environment.

Stève Hiobi, you’re often described as an “Afrofluencer”. How would you describe your work?

That term actually fits quite well. I’m an influencer and an author who focuses mainly on the African continent. I tell stories from Africa that are often overlooked in public discourse in Europe. My aim is to inform, break down stereotypes – and above all to spark curiosity.

What sparked your curiosity about Africa?

I was born in Cameroon, but I grew up in Germany. For a long time, I didn’t feel fully German or fully Cameroonian. At some point, I wanted to understand my own background better and engage more deeply with my identity. Since I’ve had a young son, that desire has grown even stronger – not least because one day I want to be able to answer his questions.

What stereotypes about African countries do you encounter again and again in your work?

One of the most persistent stereotypes is the idea that what happens in Africa has nothing to do with “us in the West”. Yet the unstable situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for example, shows just how closely everything is connected: it affects our supply chains, our smartphones and our everyday lives. 

Does it take courage to address such issues publicly and take a clear stance?

Sometimes it does. Before becoming an “Afrofluencer”, I mainly made humorous videos. Leaving that path behind and focusing on serious, sometimes controversial topics was a bold step. Of course, I sometimes receive hate online, but I still really value the dialogue with my community.

What gives you hope?

For one thing, the dialogue itself. A lot of people write to tell me that my content motivates them to look more closely, do better research and engage more deeply with African perspectives. Secondly, the younger generation gives me hope – in Europe, but especially in Africa. Young people are demanding accountability from their governments and want their voices to be heard. Social media helps open up access to dialogue in the first place. That makes me optimistic.