Forbes says the 50 biggest creators on its 2026 Top Creators list earned a combined $1.02 billion, the first time the ranking has crossed the billion-dollar mark in its five-year history. MrBeast led the list at $300 million, while other top earners included Dhar Mann at No.2 with $65 million, Steven Bartlett at No. 3 with $52 million and Markiplier at No. 4 with $38 million. For Rwandan audiences, some names on the list feel familiar from recent local conversations. IShowSpeed, who ranks No. 8 with $30 million, drew attention during his Africa tour after visiting Rwanda and livestreaming from the country in January. ALSO READ: From Byimana to Forbes: A Rwandan engineer’s rise to global tech circles Ashton Hall, ranked No. 41 with $10 million, also landed in Kigali this July for his African tour that included collaboration with Rwandan creator Enock Uwizeye, known as Ashton Small or Kagarara. The rest of the list shows how wide the creator economy has become. Druski, at No. 7 with $20 million, has moved from social sketches into TV, commercials and high-profile collaborations. Ms. Rachel, at No. 24 with $26 million, has turned children’s content into a major media brand. ALSO READ: Clare Akamanzi wins Forbes Africa investment award Content is only part of the business for many of this year's top earners. Former journalist and investor Codie Sanchez ranks No. 10, while Steven Bartlett, No. 3 on the list, has built The Diary of a CEO into a holding company valued at $425 million after launching the podcast from his kitchen table. MrBeast remains the clearest example of the shift. Forbes says his YouTube channels have more than 640 million subscribers and generate more than 5 billion views a year, while Beast Industries now spans media, food, analytics and licensing deals in toys and clothing. That model, built around content and commerce together, is increasingly what separates top creators from casual influencers. ALSO READ: Spotlight on Rwanda's leading content creators Other names on the list show the same pattern in different forms. IShowSpeed built his audience through gaming, then expanded into soccer and travel content. Ashton Hall turned a viral wellness routine into paid fitness and diet courses. Ms. Rachel reached parents and toddlers through repeat-view kids’ videos, while Druski moved into mainstream entertainment without losing his online following. What makes the 2026 ranking stand out is the range of formats now counted as mainstream entertainment. The list includes people making money through YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, television, live streams, product lines, courses and brand deals.
