Popular internet streamer Darren Jason Watkins better known as iShowSpeed yesterday confirmed that Namibia remains a part of his 28-day African tour. This is amid challenges related to aviation permits.
The 20-year-old content creator was anticipated to visit the country as part of his widely followed 28-day African tour anounced last year.
However, the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had previously issued that a Foreign Operator Permit for his private aircraft could not be issued on time.
iShowSpeed confirmed on his livestream and social media platforms yesterday that he is still coming, despite media reports that he cancelled. “Yes, we are coming. Every country that is on the list… we will be going,” he told fans during a livestream but did not specify when.
He was streaming in Botswana yesterday.
However, New Era was unable to confirm with NCAA whether the aviation permit issue was resolved as NCAA’s spokesperson, Nelson Ashipala was unreachable over his mobile phone.
In a statement on Monday the aviation authority explained that the application for the permit was received at 16:34 on the day before the intended landing, less than 11 hours prior to arrival.
“The operator was unable to submit all the required documentation within the prescribed regulatory requirements to allow for proper assessment and processing,” the statement read.
According to the authority, applications for Foreign Operator Permits require comprehensive documentation and inter-agency coordination, a process that can take up to 14 days to complete.
Watkins is one of the world’s most prominent streamers, boasting more than 47 million subscribers on YouTube, 45 million followers on TikTok, 43 million on Instagram, 3.8 million on X and 2.8 million on Twitch. He was named Streamer of the Year at the 2025 Streamer Awards.
During his current African tour, iShowSpeed has already visited Angola, South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique and Eswatini, generating hundreds of millions of online views and impressions through live streams and short-form videos.
The news of his absence from Namibia has sparked disappointment among local influencers and fans, many of whom believe the visit would have offered significant exposure for the country’s tourism sector.
Previously social media news creator Leston Wolher had expressed the cancellation represented a missed opportunity for Namibia to showcase itself to a global audience.
“This was free promotion on a massive scale. His streams show the reality of African countries, the cities, the people and the culture, not just wildlife. Namibia could have benefited greatly from that visibility,” Wolher said.
While expressing frustration, Wolher acknowledged that regulatory processes must be followed and that reports indicate the permit application was submitted late.
“There are laws and timelines that must be respected. Even if he is the biggest streamer in the world, rules still apply,” he said. “But overall, it is still a big loss for Namibia,” he said at the time.
On TikTok, local users also shared mixed reactions following confirmation of the cancellation. Some questioned whether Namibia had missed an opportunity, while others argued that legal and safety requirements should not be compromised.
Award-winning content creator Mulongo Hlipinge highlighted iShowSpeed’s wide appeal among younger audiences.
“He has fans, even here. My kids follow him religiously, and now I do too,” she said. “People are watching, even if our population is small,” she added.
Another content creator, /Namtago Haircare, took a more light-hearted view, suggesting Namibia’s slower pace of life might have contrasted with the streamer’s high-energy style.
“We are a very chill country. But if you announce where you will be, people will show up,” the creator said.
During a recent stream in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, Watkins hinted that one African country had been unable to accommodate him due to permit issues, adding that he may try to resolve the matter and return at a later stage.
At the moment, the aviation authority maintains that regulatory requirements must be met to ensure safe and compliant aviation operations.
