What this life looks like
You build audio worlds that inform, entertain, and connect communities. Podcast Producers create, develop, and produce audio content for streaming platforms — the fastest-growing media format globally. Africa's podcasting scene is exploding, with shows covering everything from African business and politics to mental health, dating, African history, and Afrobeats culture finding large and passionate audiences.
What she actually does
You develop the show concept and format, book and prepare guests, conduct or facilitate interviews, record and edit audio, write show notes and promotional copy, manage RSS feeds and distribution across platforms, promote episodes on social media, analyse listener data, manage production schedules, and — as the show grows — potentially manage a small team of producers and editors.
Where you can work
| Sector | Places in Africa |
|---|---|
| Independent Production | Most successful podcasters operate independently — with a microphone, laptop, and distribution platform |
| Media Companies | EbonyLife Audio, Afripods Network, Audiomack Originals — podcast networks commissioning original content |
| Radio Stations | Many radio stations now produce podcast extensions of their shows — a growing hybrid market |
| Brands & Agencies | Branded podcast production for corporate clients — a fast-growing revenue opportunity for producers |
Why it matters in Africa
African podcasting has grown exponentially — Afripods, Spotify Africa, and Apple Podcasts all show rapidly growing African audiences. Shows like 'The Adeola Fayehun Show,' 'Business Unusual' with Feyi Fawehinmi, and 'Afros and Audios' have built large audiences and commercial partnerships. Brands and advertisers are beginning to invest significantly in African podcast advertising.
Your pathway in
- Start your own podcast now — the barrier to entry is low: a good microphone, free recording software (Audacity or GarageBand), and a Spotify for Podcasters account
- Study audio production: microphone technique, acoustic treatment, interview skills, and editing in Adobe Audition or Audacity
- Build an audience around a niche subject — the most successful African podcasts serve specific communities with real passion
- Monetise through sponsorships, listener support (Patreon), and live events as your audience grows
- Network within the African podcasting community through AfriPods and similar communities
Skills you will need
- Audio recording and editing
- Interview facilitation
- Content development
- Social media marketing
- Distribution platforms (Spotify, Apple)
- Audience development
A woman in this field
Molly Jensen
Kenya
Molly Jensen is a prominent tech executive and media pioneer who served as the monumental Chief Executive Officer of Afripods. Under her strategic leadership, the Nairobi-based platform grew into one of the largest homegrown, pan-African podcast hosting and distribution infrastructures on the continent, hosting content in over 50 languages across dozens of African nations. A passionate advocate for digital audio content creators, she focused on building the monetization and advertising infrastructure required for African storytellers to be paid directly for their work without relying on foreign banking setups, completely altering the landscape of independent continental broadcasting.
Take your first step
- Launch a 3-episode test podcast on any topic you know well — use free tools (Anchor.fm or Spotify for Podcasters) and publish it
- Study AfriPods at afripods.africa to discover the range of African podcasts already out there and identify gaps you could fill
- Learn audio editing by completing a free tutorial on Audacity (free software) or GarageBand — clean audio is the foundation of a great podcast
- Research how African podcasters monetise their work — read interviews with successful African podcast producers on how they built sustainable shows
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