Khaby Lame, the world’s most-followed TikTok star, has been named a UNICEF goodwill ambassador.
The 24-year-old, known for his silent but expressive videos, made the announcement in his home country of Senegal. As an ambassador, he hopes to raise awareness about global issues and support children’s rights.
Lame became famous during the COVID-19 pandemic when he lost his job at a factory in Italy and started making TikTok videos. His humorous and relatable content quickly gained millions of followers, and he now has over 162 million fans. Despite his online success, he has not forgotten his roots. “All children can thrive when they are given a chance,” he said, reflecting on his own struggles growing up.
Senegal faces challenges like poverty and high youth unemployment, leading many young people to attempt dangerous migrations to Europe. Lame wants to inspire them to believe in their dreams. “Try and do your best to accomplish your dreams, even though there are people telling you that you cannot reach them,” he said.
Born in Senegal, Lame moved to Italy as a child but only became an Italian citizen at age 20. “My blood is from Senegal, but I feel Senegalese and Italian at the same time,” he shared.
During his four-day visit to Senegal, Lame met with young people working to improve their communities.
