Final Announcement
Africa Podfest closes it's doors, ushers in a new chapter
Hello friends,
I am coming back to you with an update since the last statement from Africa Podfest in November 2023. With mixed feelings of gratitude, nostalgia and excitement, I am announcing that Africa Podfest is closing its doors for the final time this month. However this does not mean that the work stops. On the contrary, winding down is a necessary adjustment that allows the work to continue.
When the idea for a Pan African podcast festival took off in 2019 after I pitched it to my co-founders Josepine Karianjahi and Paula Rogo, no one could have imagined the interest and readiness that the concept was met with. However, it has emerged that the structure we set up at the time was not designed to fit the scale and scope that unfolded. While the team was agile enough to adapt throughout our four years of operation, it has become evident that this structure would not be sufficient to carry the mission into the future. For this reason, it is time for a redesign and rebuild on the basis of current needs in Africa’s audio and podcasting ecosystem, which we have been proud to have played a part in shaping. Core to this evolution is the team. While Paula moved on in 2020, Josephine and I remained co-directors until early 2024 when Josephine took on a leadership role at a leading organization focusing on audio content for children.
New Chapter
I have grown more resolute in my vision for an African audio industry that gives power to historically marginalised voices. To this end I am joining forces with Radio Workshop, continuing in my mission of connecting storytellers, sharing knowledge and sparking innovation. The award-winning Radio Workshop is a valuable long-time player in Africa’s radio and podcast space with a mission to amplify youth voices across Africa. Having collaborated closely over the course of Africa Podfest’s existence, I am confident and excited to be in a position to scale up initiatives as part of the Radio Workshop team.
Follow me on LinkedIn to get in touch and keep up-to-date on my work (click here to find my profile).
Africa Podfest’s Impact over 5 years (2019 - 2024)
Advocating for and spotlighting African podcasting on the global stage, with our Africa Podcast Day campaigns reaching a global audience of over two million.
Connecting more than four thousand podcasters in Africa and the diaspora for learning and networking through our social media channels, monthly newsletter and community gatherings.
Platforming more than three hundred uniquely African podcasts on our African Podcast Database, enhancing their discoverability to audiences.
Fostering new relationships between actors in African podcasting and the global audio industry.
Unearthing knowledge about African podcasting and making it accessible, with more than one thousand downloads of our research reports.
Providing thirteen podcasters across the continent with access to funding to help them grow their podcasts.
Designing and rolling out a groundbreaking podcast value chain model as part of the KaBrazen consortium that conceptualised, produced and cultivated audiences for Africa’s first bilingual children’s podcast.
I would like to express my gratitude to those who have contributed to making this impact possible.
My co-founders Josephine and Paula, for enthusiastically taking on this significant risk from the start, pouring in your rare, invaluable talents and resources. Josephine for your commitment through the years, together facing challenges, losses, gains and everything in between, many times at personal cost.
Our gifted and committed team: Allan Wasega, Marcus Olang’, Beliya Bukuru, Adele Makayi, Molly Kaumba, Maryanne Emomeri, Benjamin Mboya, Mweru Gitau, Tevin Sudi, Muriithi Mwangi, Peter Mwenda, Rosa Nassivila, Pauline Bokea, all our vendors and everybody else we worked with, however small the engagement.
Our esteemed advisors: Kevin Mwachiro, Ory Okolloh, Nanjira Sambuli, Tim Zunckel, Isaac Rutenberg, Danielle ‘Berry’ Syk, Twaambo Kapilikisha, Jess O’Callaghan, Kate Montague, Laura Ubate, Martina Castro, Dave Lee and Sitati Kituyi whose expertise and support propelled us.
Africa podcast community organizers: Kim Fox (Podfest Cairo), Efe Odudu (Naija Podhub), Bidemi Adedire (APVA), Sisipho Skweyiya, Jamlab, Foumilayo Assanvi and Sinatou Saka (Oxo Podfest) and the team at Bongo Hive. Thank you for your trust and partnership.
Podcast community organizers around the world: International Podcast Day, Podcast Movement, Content is Queen, Stepanie Fuccio, PRX, Blk Pod Collective, Afros & Audio, AudioCraft, Podcaster@s, SOWT.
Audio community: every single one of you who took part in shaping this community. From participating in IG lives, to being Africa Podcast Day speakers and attendees, participating in research, engaging in our social media community, subscribing to the Newsy, listing on the Africa Podcast Database, showing up at events, workshops, featuring us on your platforms and much more. Every single person who plugged in and was present, thank you.
Our partners: organizations without whom none of the dreams would be made reality. Africa No Filter, Afripods, ACP-EU, Baraza Media Lab, Brand The Change, British Council, Google, Heva Fund, Prince Claus Fund, SemaBox, Spotify, The LAM Sisterhood, Tinzwe Media, U.N. (Africa Renewal), RNTC, and Za Kikwetu Productions.
All media outlets platforms that amplified our work, notably our media partners Biz Community, Podnews and Podcast Sessions Magazine.
Individual funders: every one of you who bought us a coffee or many. You are seen and appreciated. You made this dream come true.
Cheers to growth and the possibilities ahead!
Sincerely,
Melissa Mbugua, Co-founder, Africa Podfest