In honour of Africa Month in May, we have compiled a list of our favourite exciting and informative African podcasters worth bookmarking in your podcast list.

1.) What’s Crap on WhatsApp, a podcast by Volume Africa in partnership with Africa Check, is a short 5-minute podcast designed to be distributed on WhatsApp and shared as a voice note to the podcast’s 6,000 subscribers. It is a South African fact-checking podcast that seeks to debunk the fake news and misinformation that is known for spreading rapidly on WhatsApp. Subscribers are encouraged to quickly forward the false information via the messaging platform and will in turn receive debunked on WhatsApp where they can then reshare it with their respective connections. It makes for quick listening and gets to the bottom of some of the heated debates on WhatsApp. Listen in on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.

2.) Case Number Zero explores the case of Kenyan journalist and blogger Bogonko Bosire who in September 2013 disappeared without a trace in a story that has since gone on to take a number of theories. Initially, no one was alarmed when he went missing, assuming he had gone off to cover another story. But when he failed to resurface after Kenya’s Westgate Mall terrorist attack, those who knew him were suitably concerned since it was the type of story he would’ve dropped everything to cover. This podcast is an investigation into the disappearance of Bosire with interviews spanning between 2015 and 2020 with friends and family offering up clues into what could have possibly happened to what some call a ‘genius journalist’. Listen in on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.

3.) Dear Diaspora is an Africa-centred podcast hosted by ‘afro-optimist’ Nduulwa Kowa. Topics include entrepreneurship, business, culture, society, politics, mental health, lifestyle and other trending issues of the day relevant to those in the African diaspora. The podcast is worth a listen for those interested in what the young, professional Africans are talking about, conversations that you can relate to whether you’re in Nigeria or Ghana, South Africa or Zimbabwe. She speaks to a variety of insightful guests as they seek to learn and learn truths about the continent. Listen in on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.

4.) The Africa Rights Talk podcast hosted by the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria explores the state of human rights on the continent (as well as globally) through conversations with a series of academics, activists, and other speakers. You can expect a deep dive on issues such as the forced sterilisation of women, the need for inclusive spaces for trans women in Africa, issues affecting migrants, institutional racism as well as other hot button issues with host Tate Musinahama. Listen in on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.

5.) Unplugged Conversations is a Digify Africa podcast hosted by journalist and digital content creator Aphiwe Mame with conversations on the African digital economy. What is being done to grow Africa’s digital economy, are we bridging the digital divide, and what are the obstacles? These and more conversations are explored in the podcast which tends to be no longer than 30-minutes in length. It makes for quick lunchtime listening on the go. Listen in on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

6.) Next Stop, Africa is one of those podcasts that cater to whatever mood you’re in on the day. Whether you have a serious topic on your mind like police brutality, colonialism and equitable healthcare or you want a lighter, even funny, take on black culture like African superstitions, the evolution of African fashion and African stereotypes, then this is certainly the podcast for you. Hosted by founder Aime Kikoma and co-host Benitha Muyizere it is informative yet entertaining at the same time. You’ll be glad you stumbled upon it. Listen in on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.

7.) Inspiring African Travel, as the name suggests, unpacks the stories of the passionate people behind African tourism. These are the stories that you wouldn’t ordinarily hear about of female empowerment, local small business owners, conservation champions and more hosted by travel industry professionals James Wilson, Julia Spry, Stuart Parker who have their fingers on the pulse of the travel industry. Not enough is done to sell the continent as a travel destination as worthy of your hard-earned money as certain parts of Europe and America. This podcast is an attempt to do just that as well as share the stories of individuals who are making a positive impact on African travel. Listen in on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

8.) Nipe Story (Tell Me A Story), hosted by journalist and queer activist Kevin Mwachiro, is a Kenyan fortnightly podcast of carefully chosen short stories that are given a voice on the platform. In a recent interview with Jamlab, Mwachiro told Jamlab about his love for African fiction. “I love listening to queer realities put across through fiction that come from different parts of the continent and for me, that is what Nipe’s story is about. A platform for African stories and also a deliberate move to make sure that they are queer African fictional stories on the podcast,” he said. Listen in on Apple Podcasts and SoundCloud.

9.) Africa Climate Conversations is a bi-monthly podcast led by climate activist, environmental journalist and founder Sophie Mbugua that unpacks issues around climate change from an African perspective. Climate change is a hot topic that many in the developing world are still struggling to grasp. This was a fact acknowledged by Mbugua in a short interview with Jamlab which she said she hoped to remedy by growing  “a team of journalists that can report on climate change and environmental issues”. Nevertheless, the Africa Climate Conversations is easy to follow and encouraging to listen to the stories of Africans fighting back against climate change. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Afripods and Spotify.

10.) Not your African Cliche, is hosted by four Nigerian women: Ifeyinwa, Onyeka, Ifeoluwa and Amayo. Not Your African Cliché is a podcast that highlights the complex stories of Africans on the continent and in the diaspora. Drawing from their experiences at home and abroad, the ladies of NYAC have conversations every other week that range from African literature and travel, to politics and activism. With healthy servings of laughter, snark and critical analysis, NYAC Podcast challenges myths and assumptions about the African continent and its people. Listen on Apple Podcasts and SoundCloud. 

11.) I Like Girls is a narrative storytelling show documenting women’s experiences from across Africa. From random everyday stories to significant events, the podcast explores what it means to be an African woman or of African descent in a multi-faceted world. The show exists to create a diverse narrative about what it is like to live in Africa today; and showcase the shared culture, pain, trauma, and happiness of the women on the continent. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and  Deezer.

12.) The Mashstartup Podcast hosted by Mashudu Modau explores practical learnings and candid ​journeys of Africa’s emerging entrepreneurs and creators. The Mashstartup Podcast profiles the most talented creators, impactful entrepreneurs & high-performing professionals with the purpose to drive insights and tactics to help you build what you believe in. As founder of Lutcha and Founders Sauce – he connects people and builds platforms to help African entrepreneurs grow. Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

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