News imageFocus on Africa, Solo-maxxing: are people opting out of dating?

Focus on Africa

Solo-maxxing: are people opting out of dating?

3 July 2026

Available for over a year

Have you heard of solo-maxxing, or "by yourself maxxing"? It's a social media trend in which young people are embracing single life by opting out of dating and choosing to spend more time on their own. Instead, they're prioritising personal wealth, career growth and emotional independence. So, what's driving this trend? Is it a new kind of freedom, or are young people giving up on dating altogether? BBC Focus on Africa podcast host Nkechi Ogbonna spoke to Kenyan content creator Chantelle Petit and British Somali podcaster Ahmendur Hirad about their solo-maxxing journeys, the motivations behind their choices, and the challenges they've faced along the way.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna

Producers: Keikantse Shuma, Fana Negash and Carolyne Kiambo

Senior Producers: Bella Twine and Priya Sippy

Technical Producers: David Kinyanjui

Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla