We are proud to be Here!
Recapping Africa Podcast Day 2021
Letting Our Dreams Fly
Hujambo/ Mhoro/ Olá/ Hello to you this last day of February! What a month we have had in the African podcasting community! The team here is still reeling from the high energy everyone brought to Africa Podcast Day on February 12. We are grateful for everyone’s participation and support, because together we made that day truly special. It was so real that a Jollof War nearly started in the chat (whenever Africans from more than 3 countries are gathered online there is bound to be some jollof tension!) Now that we have come to the other side of the first Africa Podcast Festival and have experienced what we dreamed of and worked towards for a long time, the future can only be determined by what we do to build this industry as individuals and a community. We get to create space to let our dreams for African podcasting fly. I am reflecting on insights from the festival and challenging myself to imagine pathways to a future where podcasting in Africa is economically, socially and culturally thriving, for Africans by Africans. In this month’s newsletter we recap Africa Podcast Day and, as usual, share opportunities to support your podcasting journey. We have added a new feature to the newsletter, which is paid promotions. If you have a podcast, event, work opportunity, product or other initiative that you would like to advertise to African podcasters and podcast enthusiasts, send an email to hello@africapodcastfestival.com for details on how to get a space in the March newsletter.
Gratefully,
Melissa Mbugua, Co-Director, Africa Podfest
Recap of Africa Podcast Day 2021
There was a lot that happened on February 12 2021, from new podcasts launching to workshops to a live comedy show. There was so much conversation between attendees who joined from all over the world. All the events were streamed from different parts of the world and the Africa Podfest team was coordinating it all from Nairobi and Düsseldorf.
More than 269 people from across the globe logged in and participated in the day’s events, while over 640 people streamed the festival over YouTube. The #AfricaPodcastDay conversation also reached over 1,1 million people on social media.
We are especially thankful to our partners Hindenburg, British Council, Prince Claus Fund, SemaBOX, Baraza Media Lab, Tinzwe Media, Podnews and Bizcommunity for investing in us to make this dream come true.
Our amazing team spread out across the world made it all happen behind the scenes! We salute them. Tevin Sudi, Dan Aceda, Monica Obaga, Kelvin Onguka, Joy Gitau, Beliya Ndlovu, Adele Makayi, Marcus Olang’, Ntshadi Mofokeng, Rutendo Nyamuda, Lesego Motshegwa, Leslie Fleischer, Moses Peter, Muriithi Mwangi, Valentine Awino and Jackson Mwanduka.
Want to revisit the day’s events and take notes while you’re at it? Watch all the events on our YouTube page.
This is Bigger Than Us
In the February issue of The Podcast Sessions digital magazine, Josephine and Melissa speak about why they started Africa Podfest and their vision for podcasting in Africa. Read this and more insights, opinions and podcasting tips from pioneers in African podcasting. Get the February issue HERE.
You can also listen to them speak about Africa’s first global podcasting festival in the latest episode of The Podcast Sessions HERE.
Opportunities & Resources
Check out our latest original research report “What We Have Learned About African Podcasting”
It contains insights on the makings of podcasting pioneers and audiences as well as our thoughts on the future of African podcasting. Take a deeper dive HERE.
Apply for the first ever African Podcast Workshop by Radio Workshop
A free program open to podcasters from anywhere in Africa, it is a chance to learn foundational podcasting skills, including pitching stories, reporting, interviewing, selecting tape, writing for the ear, and conversational tracking. Deadline is March 7. Apply HERE.
Sign up for Podfest Cairo-Virtual 2021 happening on March 7
It is an annual event for podcast creators and those interested in creating audio content. Find more information HERE.
Join PodFest Global Summit
A meeting place for the global podcasting community, this year the summit takes place March 1- 5. Connect with podcast players from around the world and learn the latest in the industry. You, our friends of Africa Podfest get free access using a special promo code. Click on the link below to access your free ticket. In the segment that says 'enter promo code' , use the code africapodfest to access your free ticket.
Add your podcast to the African Podcast Database
The African Podcast Database is a free resource to get discovered and to discover podcasts from across the continent and diaspora. Add your podcast and be part of the largest depository of African podcasts. All the entries are verified by our team.
(Paid promotion) New Podcast: “Power of the Streets”
Power of the Streets follows the youth-led African human rights movement across the continent. The show launches March 1 with weekly episodes for two months on all podcast apps. The first season features powerful personal stories from leading voices of #MeToo activism in Africa who discuss the wins, struggles and gaps in the movement. The show is a refreshing take on human rights and solidarity by people who have decided to step up and challenge abusive systems and institutions. It’s a great listen if you’d like to learn about activism, if you enjoy connecting with young African rights defenders, if you enjoy great conversations, or if you just want an easy listen as you relax on a Sunday afternoon!
Follow #PoweroftheStreets online and check out @humanrightswatch on Instagram and @hrw Twitter for updates and other juicy bits that we’re keeping just for you!
Partner with us
Africa Podfest inspires and elevates African podcasters to build a sustainable and inclusive podcasting industry across Africa. Our intention is to achieve this by simplifying podcast learning, placing a spotlight on African podcasters, and centring voices that have been in the margins. We welcome support from individuals and institutions. Email us to inquire about institutional partnership hello@africapodcastfestival.com