Afripods
Afripods is a Kenyan podcasting platform that focuses on the African market. It was founded in 2017 by Molly Jensen and had become one of Africa's largest podcasting platforms by 2022.[1] It describes itself as a "full-service podcasting platform" and both hosts and distributes podcasts for creators.
History
[edit]Afripods was founded in Nairobi, Kenya by Molly Jensen in 2017.[2][3] Jensen claimed in the Daily Nation that she wanted to develop a platform where African history could be recorded by Africans, saying that she "felt embarrassed as an African that I relied on western media."[4] Inspired by the success of African radio networks, she founded Afripods to replicate that on a smaller scale.[5][6] In 2021, Afripods partnered with Nation Media Group to host the company's podcasts.[7]
A 2022 report by Baraza Media Lab found that Afripods was one of the most used podcasting platforms in Africa and the most used homegrown platform.[8] In 2023, Afripods began converting traditional radio station's shows into podcast form, describing the new model as being "on-demand radio."[9]
As of 2023, Afripods hosts podcasts in 50 languages and from 30 countries across Africa.[2][5]
Business model
[edit]Afripods describes podcasting as a "low-cost way to preserve African culture, traditions, and language."[9] To that end, the company offers a full-service podcasting platform, offering hosting and distribution services for podcasts along with promotion for creators.[2][9] The company also operates an advertising network for podcasts.[2] Podcasts hosted by Afripods are available on Afripods own platform, along with platforms like Spotify, Stitcher, and Apple Podcasts.[10][11]
Afripods was the first podcasting platform to pay creators directly in Africa, without the need for them to create an American or European bank account.[5]
Podcasts
[edit]- "The Fabiola Podcast," hosted by Anita Fabiola[12]
- "Legally Clueless," hosted by Adelle Onyango[4]
References
[edit]- ↑ "A podcast platform with African stories told by Africans". Deutsche Welle. 2023-10-25. Retrieved 2026-03-28.
- 1 2 3 4 Reffat, Lara (2023-06-16). "This podcast platform is amplifying African voices". International Journalists' Network. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
- ↑ Kanali, Nixon (2023-07-19). "SemaBOX wants to help African podcasters monetize their podcasts with a new distribution platform". TechTrendsKE. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
- 1 2 Muia, Sylvia (2022-05-21). "How podcasts are taking over the African narrative". Daily Nation. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
- 1 2 3 James, Kyle (2023-10-25). "Afripods: A podcast hosting platform focusing on African stories told by Africans". DW Akademie. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
- ↑ Hagger, Alastair. "The Resonant Rise Of The African Podcast". Forbes Africa. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
- ↑ Nampewo, Angella (2021-11-19). "When East Africa's podcast royalty came to Kampala". Monitor. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
- ↑ "Discovery Tour, Data Edition: Mapping out the present & future of African audio storytelling" (PDF). Baraza Media Lab. 2022-04-01. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
- 1 2 3 Khalid, Amrita (2023-09-05). "How Afripods is trying to grow the podcast market in Africa". The Verge. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
- ↑ Oniang'o, Maurice (2023-08-15). "African podcasters are now recognised globally. Can they transform this success into a viable business?". Reuters Institute. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
- ↑ "Podcasts: The future of storytelling". The Citizen. 2022-05-29. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
- ↑ Apolot, Catherine. "17 Interesting facts you didn't know about socialite Anita Fabiola". Watchdog Uganda. Retrieved 2024-05-15.