TikTok Awards MENA 2025 reveal creators shaping regional digital culture

The winners of the TikTok Awards MENA 2025 were announced this week following a public vote that drew more than 5.7 million responses from across the region, underscoring the scale and reach of creator-led media in the Middle East and North Africa. The ceremony took place on January 9, 2026, at The Gate in DIFC, Dubai, marking the platform’s annual attempt to formally recognise creators whose work gained sustained traction over the past year.

Hosted by creators Yara Bou Monsef and Sherif Fayed, the event leaned heavily into community recognition rather than industry commentary, reflecting how audience participation has become central to creator success. This edition of the awards coincided for the first time with the 1 Billion Followers Summit, positioning the ceremony within a broader conversation about the regional creator economy rather than as a standalone entertainment event.

Live performances were included as part of the programme, featuring artists such as Nancy Ajram, WiztheMC, and Yara Moustafa. Their inclusion reflected the increasingly blurred line between traditional entertainment figures and digital-first visibility, as several of the performances were tied to music that previously gained traction on short-form video platforms.

Across 11 award categories, 33 creators were recognised for work spanning entertainment, education, fashion, food, sports, and social impact. Khaled Al Olyan was named Creator of the Year, while Hana and Omar received the Changemaker of the Year award for content focused on social awareness and community engagement. Amr El Hady was awarded the Visionary Content Award, recognising longer-term creative direction rather than short-term virality. Other top honours included Mona Khalid for Entertainment Creator of the Year and Banen Naem for Artist of the Year.

The awards also highlighted how brands continue to intersect with creator culture, though largely through category sponsorships rather than direct editorial influence. L’Oréal Paris Middle East supported the Beauty Creator of the Year category, while Puck Arabia and Bath & Body Works Arabia sponsored the food and lifestyle categories respectively. These partnerships were framed as logistical and experiential rather than creative, with brands maintaining a visible but contained presence.

Viewers unable to attend followed the event through livestreams on regional TikTok accounts, alongside red carpet coverage and backstage interviews. According to TikTok’s regional operations team, the voting figures point to sustained audience engagement rather than one-off interest, suggesting that creator recognition is increasingly driven by community validation rather than platform promotion alone.

As short-form video continues to shape how audiences consume entertainment, education, and commentary, the TikTok Awards MENA offer a snapshot of which voices currently resonate most. While the format remains celebratory by design, the results also serve as an informal barometer of shifting audience interests across the region.

Here is the full list of the MENA TikTok Creator Award Winners:

Creator of the Year: