5 TikTok Creators From The MENA To Watch

Across the globe, creators are reshaping culture both on and off social media platforms, and the MENA region is no exception.

TikTok has released the The Discover List 2025, which sees the social media platform spotlight 50 global creators that are setting trends and creating an impact with their content, and included in it are five names from the MENA, who have been recognized for their impact in the areas of education, food, storytelling, and innovation.  

In a statement, Kinda Ibrahim, Regional General Manager - Operations, at TikTok Middle East, Turkey, Afghanistan, and Pakistan (METAP), Central and South Asia, said, "At TikTok, we take every opportunity to celebrate our creators and the incredible communities they’ve built. Seeing regional talent recognized across all five categories of The Discover List 2025 is truly exciting. Every day, we witness the limitless creativity of regional creators, whether it’s educators sharing their vast knowledge or icons inviting their loyal followers into their world. We’re proud that TikTok has become a safe and inspiring space for our community, and we remain committed to fostering this environment for creators across the region and beyond." 

From Egyptian foodie Amr El Hady’s mouthwatering videos that tempt us to explore Egypt’s culinary delights, to Kuwaiti creator Aqeel Raeisi’s heartwarming family moments, these creators are at the forefront of shaping trends across the region.  

Fahad Almutairi 

@fahadacademy #تعلم_اللغة_الإنجليزية #انجليزي #تعليم_انجليزي #ستاربكس ♬ الصوت الأصلي - أكاديمية فهد

Fahad Almutairi, a dynamic creator from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has gained recognition for his engaging and practical English learning content on TikTok. As an educator who simplifies complex topics and makes learning engaging and accessible, he has earned a spot on the list for his unwavering passion and commitment to helping his audience improve their spoken English with easy-to-follow videos. 

Reflecting on the language’s profound impact on his personal life, Almutairi said, “My favorite subject was English, because it completely changed my life. It helped me connect with new people, discover new opportunities, and even start my own business in the education sector,” he said. 

In simplifying grammar rules, pronunciation techniques, and conversational tips, Almutairi makes language learning accessible to all. His engaging and practical teaching approach ensures that anyone, regardless of their background, can improve their fluency in English. By bridging the language gap, Fahad has opened new doors for countless individuals, equipping them with skills to enhance both their academic and professional lives. 

And in following his passion, Almutairi has also opened new doors for himself, having used his following on the social media platform to launch his own online business, Fahad Academy. “TikTok had the biggest impact on helping me grow and improve my skills, which allowed me to start my own business and achieve my goals,” he said. 

Amr El Hady 

@amrelhady_

أشيك اختراعات في رمضان ✨

♬ original sound - Amr el hady

Food creator Amr El Hady takes an audience of more than four million followers beyond cooking tutorials and on to the streets to explore the cultural and historical culinary traditions of his native Egypt. With his captivating storytelling style and his deep passion for culinary adventures, he excavates Cairo’s best hidden gems and dishes. To date, he has produced more than 2,000 videos and accrued more than two billion views. 

Whether it’s showcasing the process of how foods are sun-dried or reviving forgotten recipes, El Hady’s videos offer an educational yet entertaining food experience. His content not only highlights Egypt’s diverse flavors but also preserves its culinary history, ensuring that local food traditions are celebrated on a global scale. In spite of his diverse palate and appetite for adventure, he tells The Discover List 2025 that his favorite food is the mainstay of every Egyptian household: molokheya, rice, and chicken, and credits his grandmother with developing his palate for it since childhood. 

Reflecting on the power of TikTok in shaping the careers of creators, Hady shared, “TikTok is the platform that made me known, and even after five years, people still recognize me for my popular series, Overrated vs. Underrated. Being nominated as a foodie on The Discover List is an incredible honor and a testament to the passion I put into my content. It means that my dedication to sharing authentic culinary experiences and connecting with people through food is resonating with audiences. This recognition fuels my motivation to keep exploring, creating, and inspiring others on their own food journeys.” 

Aqeel Raeisi 

@aqeeelstar موريب جدا في مطبخ عقيل وفرح على منصة شاشا 🩵 #عقيل_الرئيسى #فرح_الهادي #ادم_الرئيسي #عائلتي #رمضان_كريم #رمضان_يجمعنا #شاشا #مطبخ_عقيل_وفرح ♬ original sound - aqeeelstar

Aqeel Raeisi is an actor and creator from Kuwait who features family lifestyle, fashion, cooking, and comedy in his videos. Known for his witty sense of humor and spontaneous personality, Raeisi fills out TikTok's For You pages with heartwarming moments that feature his wife and children, and in doing so, has built a strong connection with over three million people across the region, drawing them in with his relatable and entertaining content.  

What truly sets Raeisi apart is his ability to connect emotionally with his audiences, and his content continually highlights family bonding moments, celebrating the warmth and values of Arab culture. In addition to sharing personal reflections that make his audience feel like they are part of his life, he often showcases Kuwaiti traditions, introducing global audiences to local culture in an entertaining way. 

Raeisi credits the platform with allowing him to build a stronger connection with his audience. “Of course, TikTok has impacted my life in a positive way, people have gotten to know me more and learn more about my personality—it’s like having a whole community of close friends and family who I’m more than comfortable to be myself with. It is an amazing opportunity to be nominated as an Icon. I really enjoy putting my focus on TikTok and staying close and consistent with my followers and with trends—this will give me more exposure and opportunities to gain more recognition in the TikTok community,” he said. 

Kasem Hato  

@ibnhattuta

هذه اقل دولة زيارة بالعالم! 🇹🇻 ولكنها ستغرق قريبا 🪦

♬ original sound - Ibn Hattuta

Kasem Hato, a Jordanian-Palestinian traveler, has made it his mission to document his journey to every country in the world on TikTok, and for that, he has been recognized as a creator to watch by the platform.

Since starting his blog, Ibn Hattuta Travels (a play on his last name, Hato, and a tribute to the fourteenth century Moroccan traveler, explorer, and scholar Ibn Battuta) in 2014, he has explored 98 countries. Hato’s work has also elevated digital art on TikTok, proving that animation, visual effects (VFX), and storytelling effects can be just as captivating as traditional narratives. Today, in addition to creating videos on TikTok, he is also the host of Food Tales on the Asharq Discovery channel.   

Hato’s journey as a global traveler and content creator has been significantly shaped by the power of TikTok. “TikTok helped me create more and get discovered more. It feeds my passion in creating content, motivates me to keep going, and it helps my portfolio when contacting brands for campaigns,” he highlighted.  

Mohamed Taher 

@tahertravels عايش تجربه خياليه مع قبائل الهادزابي 🔥 #طاهرمسافر #مغامرات #سفر ♬ original sound - طاهرمسافر 🦅

Mohamed Taher, an Egyptian wanderer and content creator known as TaherTravels, has quickly captured the attention of millions across social media with his captivating content and unique way of exploring the world. 

Taher’s approach to travel is not just about visiting new places; it’s about immersing himself in diverse cultures and sharing raw, unfiltered experiences with his audience. His content blends adventure, storytelling, and authenticity, making viewers feel like they are right there with him on his journeys. 

Reflecting on his journey, Taher shared his excitement about being named an Innovator, stating, “I’m more than happy that I was chosen as an Innovator. It makes me feel that my efforts and content are appreciated. TikTok is my strongest platform… It has had a great impact on me because my TikTok audience has shown me the strongest support, which makes me keep posting and sharing my experiences on this amazing platform.”  

All images courtesy The Discover List 2025 TikTok/Angella Choe.