From silence to $900m: How TikTok king from Senegal, Khaby Lame, built a global business empire – Business Insider Africa

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In a historic leap for the creator economy, Khaby Lame, the Senegal-born social media star whose wordless TikTok videos made him a household name, has transformed viral fame into one of the largest business deals ever seen from an individual content creator.
The acquisition of a significant stake in his business by Rich Sparkle Holdings for approximately $900 million marks a watershed moment, not just for Lame, but for how digital influence is valued and commercialised globally.
Lame’s journey from simple reaction videos to a multimillion-dollar corporate transaction is a testament to the evolving creator economy.
Born Serigne Khabane “Khaby” Lame in Senegal and raised in Italy, Lame’s rise to fame began modestly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
After losing his job as a factory worker, he took to social media, posting humorous, silent clips that poked fun at overly complicated life hacks. What set him apart was his universal style: expressive gestures and clear visual humour that resonated without spoken language.
This approach quickly amassed a massive global audience, helping him become the most-followed TikTok creator in the world with hundreds of millions of followers across platforms.
But popularity was only the first step. Where many influencers have relied primarily on paid brand deals and sponsorships, Lame’s strategy was to build an infrastructure capable of turning attention into enduring commercial value.
The cornerstone of this strategy was Step Distinctive Limited, a company that handled the business aspects of his brand, including merchandise, brand partnerships, e-commerce ventures, and digital campaigns. Through this entity, Lame centralised and scaled his income streams in a way most viral creators never do.
On January 23, 2026, that infrastructure paid off in a massive way. U.S.-listed Rich Sparkle Holdings (ANPA. US) announced the acquisition and strategic partnership that gives it exclusive global commercial rights to Lame’s brand for an initial 36-month period.
Under the agreement, Rich Sparkle will manage everything from brand endorsements and merchandise to e-commerce operations and digital content monetisation. The company estimates that its integrated model, combining traffic, fulfilment, operations, and proprietary technology, could generate more than $4 billion in annual sales once fully deployed.
In a departure from typical influencer deals, the transaction structure allows Lame to remain deeply involved: he will become a controlling shareholder in Rich Sparkle Holdings. This means he isn’t simply cashing out; he’s transitioning from being solely a creator to being a stakeholder in a publicly traded company that commercialises his brand and influence on a global scale.
A standout component of the deal is its embrace of cutting-edge technology. Lame has authorised the development of an AI “digital twin”, a regulated artificial intelligence version of himself that can produce content autonomously, in multiple languages and formats.
This innovation could allow Lame’s presence to operate around the clock and across time zones without requiring his constant physical involvement, a game-changer in content production and audience engagement.
The implications of this transaction extend far beyond one social media star. Analysts see Lame’s path as a blueprint for creators looking to convert engagement into structured, scalable businesses.
Instead of one-off deals with brands, this model centralises influence under a corporate platform capable of long-term revenue generation. For aspiring creators, it underscores the value of building infrastructure and strategic partnerships that outlast individual posts or viral moments.
For global markets, the acquisition highlights how digital personalities are becoming valuable commercial assets. What once might have been viewed as entertainment, short, informal clips on a social platform, is now recognised as intellectual property capable of generating billions of dollars.
Investors are taking note, with Rich Sparkle’s stock responding positively after the deal’s announcement and signalling confidence in the melding of creator influence with traditional business models.
Khaby Lame’s transformation, from silent internet comedian to a corporate equity holder in a landmark deal, illustrates the maturation of the creator economy.
His story shows that fame on social platforms can be a powerful foundation, but building systems around that fame is what creates lasting economic value.
Whether this model becomes the norm remains to be seen, but for now, Lame has undeniably set a new benchmark in how digital influence can evolve into global business might.
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