Spotify, one of top global streaming platforms, has set aside Ksh.12.1 million grant to support careers of up-and-coming podcasters across Africa.
The grant, dubbed Africa Podcast Fund, is a first-of-its-kind podcast initiative on the continent through which podcasters will have more financial muscles to amplify their stories.
Among beneficiaries of the grant include four of Kenya’s popular podcasts – Nipe Story, Mantalk.ke, The Messy In between and The Sandwich Podcast.
The remaining nine are spread across South Africa (4), Nigeria (3), Ghana (1) and Cameroon (1).
“Africa Podfest is excited about the development of podcasting in Africa particularly because the medium allows underrepresented African voices to tell the story of Africa,” said Melissa Mbugua, Co-Director, Africa Podfest.
Given the wide range of selected countries, the winning podcasts are recorded in a range of languages including Pidgin, English, French, Sheng, Ga, and Twi.
The fund will be administered by Africa Podfest, a Kenyan-based company which focuses on inspiring and elevating African podcasters by building a sustainable and inclusive podcasting industry across Africa.
In Africa, Spotify has the biggest listenership in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana.
Since its launch in Africa, Spotify has demonstrated its commitment to bolstering the careers of African creators through on and off platform support programmes.
The platform has over 433 million monthly active users, 188 million subscription users, more than 82 million songs in the catalogue, four billion playlists available and streams across 183 countries.
