2025 So Far: Stories of Progress and Possibility
To kick off the year, Radio Workshop’s podcast team traveled to Lagos, Nigeria, to embark on an exciting new collaboration with four emerging audio producers. Together, they set out to create a compelling series of stories centered on the theme of Japa, a Yoruba term meaning “to flee.” The term captures the growing trend of Nigerians, especially young people, leaving the country in pursuit of better opportunities abroad.
In the months leading up to the in-person training, each producer worked closely with a mentor to refine their story pitches, identify a central character, and conduct initial interviews. The workshop began with an intensive boot camp on interviewing techniques, exploring everything from crafting strong questions to capturing ambient sound and scene tape.
The week culminated in a celebratory listening party, where friends, family, and members of Lagos’s vibrant podcasting community gathered to hear the producers’ work brought to life.
Shortly after the training in Nigeria, our podcast team traveled to Nairobi for the Africa Media Festival. In addition to leading a well-attended workshop, Level Up Your Audio Storytelling, and hosting a listening event showcasing youth-produced stories, we built an interactive booth at the heart of the festival. This space invited participants to share their insights, aspirations, and critiques of the African media landscape, offering a rare, candid snapshot of how media is experienced on the ground. The studio also became a powerful point of connection with fellow audio producers, strengthening our network and drawing in possible new collaborators.
This was our third year attending the Africa Media Festival, and it remains a space full of infectious energy and tons of good ideas. We hope to attend next year and continue to strengthen the connections and partnerships we’re actively building in Kenya.
“I was so excited to attend the Radio Workshop session, and it turned out to be the highlight of my experience! The session completely reshaped how I think about audio storytelling.” Chamadui Madegwa, workshop attendee
In March, young reporters in South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo hosted their annual Youth Radio Awards, joyful celebrations that honor the creativity, skill, and impact of youth-led media. In Kinshasa, the DRC team brought the community together for an in-person ceremony, while in South Africa, all eleven of our partner community radio stations joined a virtual prizegiving event. These ceremonies are a powerful reminder of how local storytelling can foster pride, amplify youth voices, and build community.
On the global stage, our podcast work continues to earn recognition. Finding the Right Words was nominated at the New York Festivals, and our series on LGBTQI+ rights, Uganda’s Hidden Rainbow, earned us a second Ambies nomination. While we didn’t take home the award, the nomination itself speaks volumes about the relevance and quality of our work. We extend heartfelt congratulations to this year’s winners.
On a more sombre note, cuts to USAID funding have hit many African countries hard. With disrupted medical supplies and less support to fight diseases like malaria and HIV/AIDS, the human impact is serious. This is a story that’s important to us to tell. So, we'll be sharing personal stories to show what these cuts really mean for people in these communities.
With your continued support, we can deepen our impact, reach new audiences, and ensure that youth voices across Africa continue to be heard loud and clear. Join us in making that future possible.
With sincere gratitude for your support,
Yumna Martin, Board Chairperson
Linda Barnett, Radio Workshop US
Emmanuelle Parr, Radio Workshop UK
Always so inspiring! Thank you
Great work.