Senegalese-born Italian YouTuber Khaby Lame on September 6, 2022 in Venice, Italy.
When 25-year-old Khaby Lame — the world’s most-followed TikToker with over 160 million fans and an estimated net worth of $20 million (about Sh2.6 billion) — stepped onto the CANEX 2025 stage in Algiers two weeks ago, his trademark grin lit up the room as the hall erupted in cheers.
He needed no introduction. The Senegalese-Italian creator, speaking in a thick Italian accent, fielded questions from journalists, and my turn came.
You make the world laugh, but what makes Khaby laugh?
Watching animal documentaries. I love those kinds of documentaries. I also read a lot of manga (Japanese comic books and graphic novels). Those are my two hobbies.
How do you describe yourself?
I am a very simple guy who likes to make people laugh. I try not to complicate things. What you see in my content is exactly who I am in real life.
Khabane "Khaby" Lame, a Senegalese-born TikToker based in Italy.
Let’s talk about your upbringing…
I was born in Touba, a very religious Islamic city in Senegal. My family then moved to Italy when I was a year old, and that is where I did all my schooling. Later, I began working there before fame found me.
How was life growing up in Italy?
It was normal. We lived in a wooden house, and what I remember most is that there wasn’t much racism. Our neighborhood was very cosmopolitan with people of all races and religions, especially from Africa. The houses were cheap, which made them attractive to many foreigners, and the commune (municipality) had a programme to allocate them to families who could not afford regular rent. I had fun and was happy.
You left Senegal at a very young age, do you have any memories of Touba?
Honestly, I do not remember much from my days in Senegal. However, when I was 14, I became a stubborn child in Italy, so my father sent me back to Touba. Being a very religious city, he knew that living there would naturally straighten me out.
And did it work?
Oh, it did! When I went back, I started studying the Quran and my whole life changed. It was completely different from Italy. The small comforts I was used to, like taking a hot shower, weren’t there. In Touba, if I needed water to do laundry, I had to ride a donkey to fetch it.
But it was a good experience. It taught me humility and how to appreciate the little things in life that don’t always seem like much, but actually mean everything.
Do you feel the pressure of being a celebrity, and how do you handle it?
I do. But I have God.
Khaby Lame, 25-year-old content creator, when he attended the Creative Africa Nexus (Canex) 2025 fire side chat on September 7, 2025 in Algiers, Algeria.
Are you very religious?
Yes, I am. I am a firm believer in the Islamic faith and its teachings.
What is your definition of success?
For me, success is when people respect you, not just recognise you. Any famous person can be recognised, but respect is different. I believe being respected and being recognised are two very different things.
Besides winning Oscars, do you harbor any other dreams?
In 10 years, I want to build hospitals and schools in Senegal to improve the lives of my people.
