In honour of Africa Month, we rounded up some of Africa’s biggest and growing digital publications to watch out for.
TechCabal (TC) is a Lagos-based digital technology publication owned by Big Cabal Media. Founded in April 2013, the Nigerian company came onto the scene when the country’s tech industry was coming into its own and beginning to attract investment from local and global venture capitalists. Today TC is tipped as the go-to platform if you’re looking for future-focused technology and innovation news about African start-ups.
Zikoko is considered Nigeria’s most viral publisher. Founded in 2014 as a website with a BuzzFeed-type look and content, the publication has gone on to become a favourite among young Nigerians looking for relevant and entertaining content that will have them engaged. Zikoko, also a subsidiary of Big Cabal Media, amplifies youth culture by creating and curating carefully crafted content for locals as well as Africans in the diaspora.
STORYTELD is a Ugandan independent multimedia collective fostering conversations through short and engaging videos that are aided by text and images and shared on social media. The content is packaged in a way that is easy to consume for audiences who prefer to gather their content on social media. – so-called ‘digital natives’. Their content is varied, ranging from new and political, to technology, culture, and lifestyle. The content is compelling and easy to consume, clearly geared at mobile-first reading. Read our interview with the founders here.
WeeTracker is a leading news website for entrepreneurs, investors, and high net worth individuals around the world interested in the African economy. It is a global technology multi-platform company that creates data and fact-based journalism. Its motto is that it creates the news it does not publish the news. The Nairobi-based group was founded in 2017 to develop research on business deals shaking up the African economy. If you’re looking to understand the African growth story, this website is the place to start.
Although it is not a news website, Brittle Paper makes it on the list for celebrating the African literary scene in all its diversity. Founded by Ainehi Edoro in 2010 the online literary magazine “cultivates a fun and informative platform for readers who love literature from the African continent”. The website features books and authors in the African literary community and publishes book reviews, fiction, essays, and poetry. It also offers courses and writing workshops and accepts submissions from the aspirant writer. It is a one-stop-shop for readers who are looking to explore more of the continent’s authors.
Debunk Media is a Kenyan-based media platform for explanatory journalism aimed at making sense of information for its readers. The publication hosts a combination of explainers, podcasts, and narrative videos. Created by Asha Mwilu and launched at the height of the pandemic in July 2020, the website is aimed at millennials and hopes to grow its presence beyond Kenya. It makes for an informative read and the graphics and sketches make it even more visually appealing. Read our interview with the founder here.
The Daily Maverick has established itself as South Africa’s premier investigative journalism publication. Known for its exclusive, breaking in-depth pieces, it is home to some of the country’s most respected muckrakers. You’ll find opinion pieces from captains of industry, in-depth analyses on news and politics as well as notable business stories. Founded in 2009 and headed by Branko Brkic and Style Charalambou, Daily Maverick has become synonymous with defending the truth and being at the forefront of South Africa’s most prominent scandals.
Are there any other publications that you think we should know about? Email us on info@jamlab.africa
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