A growing share of TikTok users across Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya are turning to the platform for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) content, according to new data released by the platform, pointing to a shift in how young Africans consume educational material online.
Research by GWI covering Q1 to Q4 2025, among respondents aged 18 and above in the three markets, shows 72 percent of TikTok users in Nigeria are interested in technology, against 61 percent in South Africa and 56 percent in Kenya. In both South Africa and Kenya, TikTok users were markedly more likely than non-users to express interest in the subject, by 9 percent and 16 percent respectively.
Interest in science follows a similar pattern, with 31 percent of Nigerian users, 35 percent of South African users and 31 percent of Kenyan users saying they are interested in the subject.
The figures point to a broader appetite for educational content on the platform. In 2025, 30 percent of TikTok users in Nigeria, 39 percent in Kenya and 42 percent in South Africa said they had watched or listened to educational material online, according to the same research.
TikTok has built a dedicated STEM Feed to capture this demand, surfacing videos that break down technical and scientific concepts in short, conversational formats. The feed sits within a wider trend on the platform, reflected in the hashtag #LearnOnTikTok, which has generated more than 51 million video creations to date.
Much of the content is driven by independent creators rather than institutions. In Nigeria, mathematics educator @shabest738 has built an audience around short videos that break down mathematical problems, while @instructor_alison covers both mathematics and physics. In South Africa, @whereistheteacher6 has used Sepedi, song and dance to teach mathematical concepts, while @mphokatmakhema produces lessons spanning Grade R through Grade 12. In Kenya, @thehealthwise focuses on science and health topics, and @trsamson offers step-by-step problem-solving content across mathematics and other subjects.
The trend suggests social platforms are becoming a meaningful supplement to formal education across the region, particularly for young people seeking accessible entry points into STEM subjects that can otherwise feel intimidating or difficult to access through conventional channels.
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