October with Africa Podfest
September to remember, Spotify for Podcasters Kenya Workshop and Microgrants
In this Newsy Newsletter:
Founders Updates: Impacting the Global Media Conversation
New: Bonus Episode of Sema Nasi Podcast
International Podcast Month Recap
Spotify For Podcasters Kenya Workshop
2023 APVA Awards (Winners Feature)
Opportunities: Microgrants for Podcasters by Content is Queen (Global)
Learn more about Africa Podfest and get in touch (www.podcasting.africa)
Founders Updates
Melissa Mbugua: Australian Deputy High Commissioner to Kenya, Linda Gellard hosted leaders from the East African media sector at the 2023 One World Media Global Reporting Summit in Nairobi, Kenya. Hinda Abdi from Bilan Media, Melissa Mbugua of Africa Podfest, Anyiko Owoko of Anyiko PR and Christine Mungai of Baraza Media Lab explored what happens when women take over media ownership. Discover more insights from the Summit here.

Josephine Karianjahi: Josephine shared the stage with Nyima Jadama of Nyima’s Bantaba, Sara Lemlem of Dotz Media and Esra Karakaya of Karakaya Talks on a panel moderated by Mercy Abang of Hostwriter in Budapest on 22nd September. Bringing insights from managing Africa Podfest work across various continents, the panel hosted at the Display.Voices conference highlighted the work of community focused media in Europe - and underscored the importance of cross border collaborations. Learn more about the Conference here

Bonus Episode - Sema Nasi Podcast : Aleya Kassam of KaBrazen Podcast
In this Bonus Episode of the Sema Nasi Podcast, Aleya Kassam delves into the world of KaBrazen podcast, a children's podcast live from Podcast Movement 2023 in Denver, Colorado which was held in August.
Sema Nasi is a podcast from Africa Podfest that informs, connects, and helps you take action in joining the Africa podcast movement. In it, hosts Melissa Mbugua and Josephine Karianjahi will be sharing perspectives from pioneers in African podcasting about where the young industry is at now and where it is headed. Listen to all episodes here or wherever you get your podcasts.
Episode Highlights
Travelling to a global podcast conference as a Kenyan children's podcast creator
Africa's place in the global podcast conversation
The KaBrazen Podcast Journey
What does it mean to be Brazen?
Multilingual podcasts and the upcoming Kiswahili and other languages for KaBrazen Podcast
Reflections on PM23
Bringing gratitude in, an appreciation of the KaBrazen team
International Podcast Month Recap
Spotify for Podcasters Kenya Workshop
Last month, we issued a call for participants to attend the inaugural Spotify for Podcasters Kenya workshop. We also shared this call on our social media platforms on X, Instagram, and Meta. So many of you, our Newsletter community signed up and majority attended the workshop in Nairobi. Encourage more of your contacts to sign up to the Newsletter - many wrote us later asking how they can learn about such opportunities. SUBSCRIBE Today!
We capped International Podcast Month by delivering our outstanding programming to the first Kenya workshop for podcasters thinking about starting a podcast or how to grow the one they already have. Podcasters from across Kenya were invited to take a seat to level up the podcast game. All who attended this colourful event left with significant knowledge and insights at this inaugural workshop.
Check out their impressions in words and pictures via our Instagram Highlights
Here are some key takeaways:
Kenya's Top Podcaster Journeys feat. Murugi Munyi(TMI Podcast Kenya), Jules Gaitho (So This Is Love), Sharon Machira (It's Related I Promise), Owen Njuguna (The Sandwich Podcast) and Anthony 'GMoney' Gray (The Mics Are Open) moderated by Josephine(Africa Podfest cofounder)
++++One of the questions that aspiring podcasters grapple with is "When, if ever, will I be ready to launch my podcast?" The answer is "Just start!" The panelists urged the audience to simply start with the resources they have at hand and grow their podcasts over time. Another key challenge is how to stay consistent as a podcaster. The panelists stated that one should keep going even when no one is listening. The importance of contracts - whether with one's co-hosts to social media team - was also highlighted.
Kevin Mwachiro(Nipe Story) delivered a Masterclass on Storytelling for Podcasts.
++++ Drawn from his extensive experience in radio, journalism and podcasting the Masterclass was delivered from Kevin's creator, educator and producer perspective. Filled with sound sampling, stories and audio production viewpoints, it was a highlight for the participants - many of whom were attending a podcast educator event for the first time!
Working With Brands feat. Kaz Lucas(The Spread podcast & festival), Dan Obura (digital strategist, Diageo) moderated by Melissa Mbugua(Africa Podfest cofounder)
++++What stood out for us was the importance of placement in a partnership agreement. For example, where does one include an advert for a particular product - at the beginning, middle, or end of a podcast episode, and why? With this information, a podcaster can have different fees depending on listenership analytics.






2023 APVA Awards
APVA Awards 2023 season came to a starry close on 23rd September 2023. Notably, podcasters and voice over artists from across the continent and beyond took home prizes for their past and present work. The APVA Awards are a prime example of Africans for Africans in every way defining what excellence looks like for Africa and spotlighting those who are creating lasting content for audiences.
KaBrazen Wins Best Children’s Podcast
We want to especially salute our partners The LAM Sisterhood/ KaBrazen Consortium who took home the Best Children’s Podcast award for the KaBrazen Children’s Podcast which celebrates brazen women in Africa’s history. This 20th of October. If you are in Nairobi, catch KaBrazen Live Experience with your little ones aged 4-9 years in a wonderful multilingual (English and Kiswahili) storytelling experience. Tickets are KES 500 for children and KES 1000 for adults via Mookh.com
Mini Peek into APVA Award 2023 - Awino Awiti, The Unspoken Podcast


Africa Podfest even got to catch up with one winner from Kisumu, Kenya whose biweekly podcast on topics that are not often discussed (Unspoken) who is taking her podcast to schools in Kisumu County to allow students a rare look at the podcasting experience and open up students to discussions to help them air their ongoing needs. She has so far reached 3 schools and also hopes to start a Kisumu podcasters meetup
Opportunities
Microgrants for Podcasters by Content is Queen
Applications are open for the 2023 Content is Queen Microgrants for Podcasters and you can apply from anywhere in the world.
Criteria to apply:
Individuals based anywhere in the world.
New or existing podcasters.
Disabled individuals.
Racialised individuals.
LGBTQIA+ community members.
Those from low-income backgrounds.
Applicants must be 18 or older.
Terms and conditions are applicable: Learn More via Content is Queen here