Happy International Podcast Month! Shall we shout it louder? A warm welcome to all of you new subscribers to our Newsy newsletter. While we were away on our annual hiatus in July - August 2023, a seriously large number of new followers joined the fun. Allow us to reintroduce ourselves. For those who have been with us from the very beginning, you are welcome to our new year. HAPPY INTERNATIONAL PODCAST MONTH. This month’s newsletter brings new opportunities, freshness and collaborations. It is a long read, so pick up your favourite beverage, a comfy seat and settle in.
About Us
We are Africa Podfest, a woman-led Kenyan podcasting company with an Africa vision to centre African podcasters at home and beyond the continent. Africa Podfest is run by Melissa Mbugua and Josephine Karianjahi - and our home on the internet is podcasting.africa Together with over 200+ African professionals in person and remotely we have created a platform for the African podcast community, planting seeds of connectedness and raising the bar for excellence for ourselves and those we are privileged to work and partner with in this important work.
We have been working to build and connect African podcasters since 2019 by building Africa’s biggest podcast festival Africa Podcast Day (as seen on CNN Inside Africa), creating new podcasts including Sema Nasi podcast on African podcasting and even teaching masterclasses everywhere from Nairobi to Amsterdam and beyond. Our original podcasting research from 2018 to date has democratised access to relevant information about African podcast markets - most of what is known about African podcast is behind paywalls and out of reach of most Africans.

Melissa Mbugua (R): Social entrepreneur committed to modelling an inclusive world.
Podcast Producer and Africa podcast researcher
global creative leader - Forbes 43 people changing advertising for the climate
BSc. Strathmore University (Kenya) MSc. from University of Birmingham (UK) and THNK School of Creative Leadership (Netherlands)

Josephine Karianjahi (L): Creative Producer| Storyteller | Media Innovator | For People and Inclusion
creative producer with 10+ years of multimedia projects in radio, podcasting, animation and video
The Moth Storyteller, gender equality & female entrepreneurship thought leader
BA Bryn Mawr College (USA) & MPH Columbia University in the City of New York. Diploma, EOI Business School (Spain)
Our Ask
Individual supporters have been the biggest reason we are still here - upheld by people like you. THANK YOU! In case you have resources to give to the creatives in your world, this is the time to step up. Whether it is fiscal or non-monetary, we urge you to stem the ongoing closure of your favourite festivals, vibe-rich events, inspiring zines, welcoming spaces by reaching out. Hardly a month goes by before we hear about closures, cancellations and more from the arts, culture and entertainment space. We are also familiar with rolling back much of our own programming due to significant pull out of meaningful investments, sponsorships and more from the creative industry now. If you can do something, do not wait, act now.
In this Newsy newsletter
Podcast Movement 2023 Denver: Africa Podfest Recap
Kenya: Apply for Spotify’s Kenya Podcasting Workshop - 30 September
APVA Awards: Join A Watch Party Near You - 23 September
Notable: Africa Podfest at Mozfest House Kenya - 21,22 September
#EqualityInAudio: Apply for Broccoli Productions BUILD Grant Opportunity
Podcast Movement 2023 Denver: Africa Podfest Recap
Africa Podfest’s Josephine Karianjahi convened a wonderful global panel at Podcast Movement Denver 2023 on “Leading The Universe of Multilingual African Children's Content” featuring Laura Ordoñez from Common Sense Media, Michael Baruti from Ubongo, and Aleya Kassam of The LAM Sisterhood’s KaBrazen Podcast (a partner of Africa Podfest through the KaBrazen Consortium)
Looking to start sharing African children’s podcast content with the young learners in your life? Check out Common Sense Media’s review for Parents about the KaBrazen Podcast here and Akili and Me Podcast by Ubongo/ABF Creative here
Apply for Spotify for Podcasters Workshop - September 30
Celebrate International Podcast Day in Nairobi, Kenya with Spotify For Podcasters. Thinking about starting a podcast or how to grow the one you already have? Apply for a seat at the Spotify for Podcasters workshop happening in Nairobi on 30 September. Happening for the first time in Nairobi, this application-only workshop will level up your podcast game beyond your expectations.
APVA Awards: Join A Live Watch Party Near You - 23 Sept. (Virtual x Meetups)
Africa Podfest is a proud strategic sponsor of the 2023 APVA Awards. We have been waiting all year to share the joy and anticipation of the winning podcasts from across Africa and the African Diaspora. On Saturday September 23, 2023 four African countries will host in person Watch Parties for the APVA Awards. Ghana’s Gold Coast Report, Kenya’s Baraza Media Lab, Nigeria’s Podcastershub.ng and Zambia’s Zambian Podcasters Hub will each host a unique watch party experience featuring all the 2023 APVA live announcements and special programming.
Ghana: Gold Coast Report - APVA Watch Party Community Event
Venue: Accra | Follow Gold Coast Report for turn-by-turn directions
Kenya: Baraza Media Lab - APVA Watch Party Community Event
Venue: Baraza Media Lab,Nairobi | Time: 2pm - 8pm EAT
Zambia: Zambian Podcasters Hub - APVA Watch Party Community Event
Venue: Africaworks Lusaka | Time: 4pm - 7pm CAT | Date: Saturday 23 September
Dress Code: ZAMROCK | FREE Entry but by RSVP only
Nigeria: Podcastershub.ng - APVA Watch Party Community Event
Venue: Lagos | Follow Podcastershub.ng for turn-by-turn directions
Notable: Africa Podfest at Mozfest House Kenya
MozFest House: Kenya is a regional adaptation of the Mozilla Festival, an annual convening for technologists, researchers, policymakers, activists, and others to explore topics related to a healthy internet and trustworthy AI. MozFest House: Kenya will engage in bold conversations and steadfast action to build more ethical, equitable, and humane technologies. Under the theme “Mobilizing African Communities for Trustworthy AI”, these interactive sessions will focus on critical issues in Eastern and Southern Africa, such as digital safety, digital rights, platform accountability, and the need for internet governance.
Africa Podfest will be leading a thought-provoking session about podcasting in Africa and AI you will not want to miss. Africa Podfest’s Allan Wasega, a Kenyan researcher, tech writer, storyteller and creative consultant will take the mic in Nairobi.
#EqualityInAudio Opportunity: Broccoli Productions BUILD Grant
Africa Podfest is committed to expanding equality in the audio industry by amplifying opportunities which expand the industry’s diversity, equity and inclusion actions.
*************
Broccoli Productions is thrilled to announce the launch of BUILD Grant! Open now to audio talent to BUILD upon their creative careers The grant will award 5 individuals £1000 GBP & a 1-year subscription to BUILD & 1-2-1's with an industry expert
The company is looking to support and encourage talent within the audio industry by offering grants for the development of their creative practice, skills, and projects in the following categories: business, marketing, personal development, production and storytelling
About #EqualityInAudio
Hoping to foster greater equality within the audio industry, the Equality in Audio Pact (EAP) was created in June 2020 by Renay Richardson (Founder and CEO of Broccoli Productions). It was co-signed and supported by Falling Tree, Boom Shakalaka Productions, Unedited: and Don’t Skip before launching publicly.
The pact has over 350 signatories with broadcast heavyweights like the BBC, Bauer group and iHeart Media, the EAP can and will be a force for change within the audio industry.
UK Audio Network and Content is Queen are now grabbing the torch of this initiative. They will be shepherding in Phase Two of EAP, ensuring the pact means transparency, equity and diversity is at the forefront of minds within the audio industry when making hiring decisions. To join: visit https://www.equalityinaudio.com/