January 2026 started with a bang for fans of the world’s biggest streamer. Darren “IShowSpeed” Watkins Jr. landed in Addis Ababa, and the city will never be the same.
This stop was part of his massive “Speed Does Africa” tour. It did more than just go viral. It broke records and showed the world a side of Ethiopia many had never seen.
I followed every minute of the live stream to bring you the full details. Here is what happened when Speed took over the heart of Africa.
Why IShowSpeed in Ethiopia Broke the Internet?
On January 13, 2026, IShowSpeed arrived in Ethiopia after a wild trip to Kenya. The energy was high from the start. Thousands of fans packed the streets of Addis Ababa.
The stream didn’t just break records for Speed. It put Ethiopia at the center of the global digital world. Within hours, the video had over 9.9 million views.
Record-Breaking Numbers!
The “Addis Ababa” stream is now the most-watched stop on the Africa tour so far. Here is how the numbers look compared to the previous stop in Kenya.
| Metric | Kenya Visit | Ethiopia Visit |
| Peak Live Viewers | ~200,000 | 257,000+ |
| Subscribers Gained | ~360,000 | 410,000+ |
| Stream Length | 3 Hours | 4 Hours 52 Mins |
The Barefoot Walk at Adwa Memorial
One of the most moving parts of the trip was at the Adwa Victory Memorial. Speed learned about the 1896 battle where Ethiopia defeated colonial forces.
When he heard that Ethiopian soldiers often fought without shoes, he did something unexpected. He took off his shoes and walked through the memorial barefoot. This gesture went viral across East Africa as a sign of deep respect.
Culture, Food, and “The Raw Meat Challenge”
Speed didn’t just look at things; he jumped right in. He played the Masinko (a traditional instrument) and tried the Genna game, which is like Ethiopian hockey.
Then came the food. He tried Injera and Kitfo (raw seasoned meat).
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The Good: He loved the energy of the local market (Merkato).
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The Bad: The raw meat combined with the high altitude of Addis Ababa (2,400 meters) made him feel very sick.
The “Passing Out” Scare
Midway through the stream, Speed looked pale. He told his fans he felt lightheaded. At one point, he nearly collapsed and had to be held up by his bodyguards.
He later told the chat, “I’ve never felt like that during a stream.” Most experts say it was altitude sickness. The air is much thinner in Addis Ababa than in the places he visited before.
Meeting the Ethiopian “Speed”
You might have seen the memes. Speed met a local fan who looks exactly like him! The two recreated the famous Spider-Man pointing meme in the middle of a crowded street. He even let his lookalike take over the camera for a few minutes while he recovered from his stomach issues.
The Team Behind the Magic
While the stream looked like pure chaos, it was actually planned for two months. A team led by Yonaiel Tadiwos Belete from Boston Partners PLC made it happen.
They worked with the Ministry of Tourism to make sure Speed saw the best of the city. They chose spots like the Science Museum and the new urban parks to show off how modern Addis Ababa has become.
FAQs About IShowSpeed’s Visit
Why did IShowSpeed go to Ethiopia?
He is on a tour of 20 African countries to show African culture to his 48 million subscribers.
Is it true he got sick from the food?
Yes, he tried raw meat (Kitfo). This, mixed with the high altitude, made him feel very unwell during the live broadcast.
Which city did he visit?
The entire stream took place in Addis Ababa, including stops at Merkato, Meskel Square, and the Adwa Memorial.
Who won the “Streaming War” between Kenya and Ethiopia?
Ethiopia took the lead with over 257,000 peak live viewers, beating Kenya’s 200,000.
