Indian livestreamer Ashswag has defeated Nigerian content creators Carter Efe and Peller to win the Best International Streamer Award at the 2026 Streamer Awards.
Ashswag emerged as the winner of the international category at the ceremony held in Los Angeles on Thursday, November 12, beating four other nominees, including the two Nigerian entertainers.
The result means Carter Efe and Peller, who had both secured nominations for the award, missed out on the opportunity to take home the international honour.
Ashswag expressed excitement after his name was announced as the winner, thanking the audience and organisers for the recognition.
While addressing the audience, the Indian streamer said: “Thank you so much, I feel absolutely incredible. It is nice to meet you guys. Thank you so much.”
A presenter subsequently complimented Ashswag on his English, prompting a light-hearted response from the streamer.
“Thank you so much. English is actually an actual language of India,” he replied.
His response drew attention to the moment, adding a humorous exchange to his acceptance speech.
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Carter Efe and Peller miss out on international award
Carter Efe and Peller were among the five nominees shortlisted for the Best International Streamer category at the 2026 Streamer Awards.
The Nigerian creators were nominated alongside Ashswag, Polish streamer Young Multi and Cuban content creator Staryuuki.
The nominations were announced in October, bringing attention to the growing presence of Nigerian livestreamers on the international entertainment scene.
Peller, whose real name is Habeeb Hamzat, has gained popularity through his livestreams, online interactions and entertaining conversations with celebrities and other internet personalities.
Carter Efe, whose real name is Oderhowo Joseph Efe, is also known for his comedy, music and livestreaming content. His online personality and collaborations have helped him attract a substantial audience.
Their nominations placed both creators in competition with international personalities whose audiences extend beyond their home countries.
However, Ashswag ultimately secured the award, leaving the Nigerian nominees without the trophy.
According to Voice of Nigeria’s October report, the category’s winner was determined through a combination of public voting and panellist scores, with public votes accounting for 70 per cent of the result and the panellists contributing the remaining 30 per cent.
Ashswag’s win highlights India’s streaming scene
Ashswag’s victory represents a major recognition for the Indian streamer, who was nominated alongside creators from Nigeria, Poland and Cuba.
The Best International Streamer category recognises creators whose livestreaming activities have attracted audiences beyond their local markets.
Livestreaming has become an important part of the global digital entertainment industry, allowing creators to build communities through real-time interaction, gaming, conversations, collaborations and other forms of online content.
Unlike traditional entertainment formats, livestreaming gives audiences the opportunity to participate directly in broadcasts through comments, reactions and other forms of engagement.
This has helped personalities such as Peller and Carter Efe build strong online communities in Nigeria.
Ashswag’s win also reflects the increasingly international nature of the creator economy, where streamers can compete for recognition regardless of their country of origin.
Nigerian creators continue to gain international attention
Although Carter Efe and Peller did not win the award, their nominations marked another moment of international recognition for Nigeria’s growing livestreaming community.
Both creators have become familiar names among Nigerian social media users through their distinctive approaches to online entertainment.
Peller has particularly attracted attention through his TikTok livestreams, where he interacts with viewers, discusses trending issues and hosts conversations with public figures.
Carter Efe, meanwhile, has built an audience through comedy, music and internet entertainment. His viral moments and online collaborations have also contributed to his popularity.
Their appearance on the international shortlist demonstrated the growing visibility of Nigerian digital creators within the global streaming industry.
The competition also brought together creators with different audiences and content styles, reflecting the diversity of the international livestreaming community.
For Nigerian fans, the nominations provided an opportunity to support local creators on an international platform, even though the final result went in favour of Ashswag.
Ashswag’s acceptance speech, particularly his exchange with the presenter about English being a language spoken in India, also gave audiences a memorable moment from the ceremony.
The 2026 result adds another international award to the growing list of recognitions being contested by online creators as livestreaming continues to expand across different countries.
While Carter Efe and Peller will have to wait for another opportunity to claim the international title, Ashswag leaves the ceremony as the winner of the 2026 Best International Streamer Award.
Why the award matters to Nigerian streaming
The outcome has also renewed attention on the competitiveness of Nigerian livestreamers in international award categories.
Nigeria’s entertainment industry has traditionally gained global recognition through music, film and comedy. However, the rise of livestreaming has created another route for local entertainers to reach audiences outside the country.
Creators such as Peller and Carter Efe have helped popularise livestream entertainment among Nigerian social media users. Their broadcasts often attract attention because of their spontaneous conversations, celebrity interactions and unscripted moments.
Their nominations suggest that the international streaming industry is increasingly recognising creators beyond the traditional gaming communities that initially dominated livestreaming platforms.
For Peller and Carter Efe, the nomination itself offers an opportunity to expand their international profiles and attract new audiences.
Ashswag‘s victory, meanwhile, gives the Indian creator further recognition in a category that brought together personalities from different parts of the world.
The 2026 Streamer Awards therefore provided another example of how digital entertainment is creating opportunities for creators to compete internationally, regardless of their location.
The key takeaway is that Ashswag won the Best International Streamer award, while Nigeria’s Carter Efe and Peller finished among the nominees.
