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Most-Followed TikTok Star Khaby Lame Appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador 

TikTok’s most-followed personality, Khaby Lame, joined UNICEF as a goodwill ambassador, bringing his audience of 162 million followers to the organization’s youth initiatives.

As The Associated Press (AP) reports, Lame’s appointment follows a four-day visit to his native Senegal, where he engaged with young people leading community development projects. The 24-year-old creator, who moved to Italy as an infant, rose to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic after losing his factory job, turning to content creation as an alternative source of income.

“It’s a true honor to be appointed as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador and be part of an organization that puts children’s rights front and center every day,” Lame said in a statement. His personal experience with childhood poverty, academic challenges, and pandemic-related job loss influences his approach to the role.

Youth Engagement in Senegal

The appointment comes at a critical time for Senegal’s youth population. The AP cites data showing that over 60% of Senegalese citizens are under 25 years old, with 90% working in informal employment sectors. The country faces ongoing challenges with irregular migration to Europe as young people seek opportunities abroad.

Lame aims to address these challenges in his new role, encouraging Senegalese youth to “dream big” despite obstacles. “Try and do your best to accomplish your dreams, even though there are people telling you that you cannot reach them,” he said.

The creator’s own journey reflects the complexities of international mobility. Despite living in Italy for 20 years, Lame only received Italian citizenship at age 20. “My blood is from Senegal, but I feel Senegalese and Italian at the same time,” he noted.

UNICEF’s strategy for Lame involves leveraging social media influence for youth advocacy. Through this appointment, the organization gains access to Lame’s significant digital audience, while Lame expressed his commitment to tackling global challenges. “It will allow me to see all the world and its problems,” he stated, indicating his intention to contribute to solutions.

Cecilia Carloni, Interview Manager at Influence Weekly and writer for NetInfluencer. Coming from beautiful Argentina, Ceci has spent years chatting with big names in the influencer world, making friends and learning insider info along the way. When she’s not deep in interviews or writing, she's enjoying life with her two daughters. Ceci’s stories give a peek behind the curtain of influencer life, sharing the real and interesting tales from her many conversations with movers and shakers in the space.

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