Robbie Lyle, the founder of global football media platform AFTV, is in Kenya for a six-day tour starting today, August 1, 2026, that shifts the spotlight from football to digital content creation, as he seeks to inspire young Africans to build successful careers online.
Lyle's visit, supported by Safaricom, Nairobi Serena Hotel and BuyMeSoda, combines football, digital innovation and youth entrepreneurship through a series of events designed to connect aspiring creators with some of the biggest names in fan-led sports media. The tour has been organised by London-based events promoter Ken Mathiu.
Best known for transforming fan reactions outside Arsenal's Emirates Stadium into one of the world's most recognised football media brands, Lyle has become a leading figure in independent digital journalism. His platform, formerly known as Arsenal Fan TV, has grown into a global network that attracts millions of viewers through AFTV and its sister channels, United View and DR Sports.
A major highlight of the visit will be a creators' workshop at Zetech University, where Lyle is expected to mentor hundreds of young Kenyans on growing digital audiences, producing engaging content and turning online platforms into sustainable businesses.
He is accompanied by fellow football content creators Lee Judges, Cecil Lee Thomas and Kenyah Lyle. Former Arsenal defender and Ivory Coast international Emmanuel Eboué has also joined the tour, giving football fans an opportunity to interact with one of the club's former stars.
The programme features a packed schedule that includes a press conference, media interviews, sponsor activations, fan engagement sessions, a parade through Nairobi, a live concert and an Arsenal pre-season watch party for the club's match against Girona.
Organisers say the events are intended to celebrate football while demonstrating how digital platforms are creating new opportunities for young people across Africa. They also hope the tour will strengthen Kenya's reputation as a growing centre for digital innovation and content creation.
Lyle and Cecil Lee Thomas are scheduled to feature on Radio Generation's sports programme,
Sports Garage
, today between 6pm and 7pm.
For Lyle, supporting emerging creators has become an important part of his work beyond football. He believes Africa has the talent and creativity to produce globally competitive digital creators, provided they have access to mentorship, practical skills and opportunities to showcase their work.
Kenya is one of several African countries that Lyle has visited as part of his outreach to the continent's growing digital community. Earlier this year, he travelled to Kampala at the invitation of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and has also held engagements in Ethiopia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Ghana.
This marks his second visit to Kenya in just over a year. During his previous trip, he attended an Arsenal watch party in Nairobi that drew hundreds of supporters, highlighting the club's strong following in the country.
Lyle has spent more than a decade building AFTV into one of the world's most influential fan-driven football media platforms. Alongside match analysis, transfer discussions and coverage of Arsenal's domestic and European campaigns, the channel is widely recognised for its post-match interviews, where supporters openly share their views on the team's performances.
Reflecting on the platform's beginnings, Lyle has previously said he created AFTV to give Arsenal supporters a space where their voices could be heard and their opinions shared with football fans around the world.