Global streaming giant Spotify has announced a mega initiative on the continent dubbed ‘Africa Podcast Fund’ aimed at supporting top podcasters and amplifying their stories.
The fund will benefit 13 podcasts from Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroon. The ‘Africa Podcast Fund’ aims at catapulting the careers of the selected creators through grants, workshops and networking opportunities.
The Kenyan podcasts that made the cut are ‘The Sandwich Podcast,’ ‘The Messy InBetween Podcast,’ ‘Mantalk.ke’ and ‘Nipe Story’ – the four most listened-to podcasts in the country.
The Messy Inbetween is hosted by Murugi Munyi and Lydia Mukami, covering love, money, work, life, and advice led by lived experience and all the things that make life what it is. TMI provides a safe space for women to discuss their experiences candidly.
Mantalk.ke, hosted by Kenyan creators Eli Mwenda and Oscar Koome, recognises the need for conversations led by men on issues such as toxic masculinity, fatherhood, feminism, dating, and self care. The two hosts strive to have uncomfortable conversations, even if that means putting themselves on the spot.
Nipe Story, hosted and narrated by Kenyan writer, journalist, and queer activist Kevin Mwachiro, gives a voice to written African short stories. Mwachiro provides a platform for African writers to have their short stories heard.
Owing to the wide range of countries the winners hail from, the podcasts will be in various languages like English, Pidgin, French, Sheng, Ga and Twi.
The fund will be administered by Africa Podfest, a Kenyan-based company focused on inspiring and elevating African podcasters by building a sustainable and inclusive podcasting industry across Africa
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