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NAIROBI, Kenya – October 22, 2024 – Kimani Maina and Shalom Meeni were celebrated as top winners at the inaugural Youth+ Radio PodQuest 2024, a youth-focused podcasting competition aimed at discovering and nurturing Africa’s next generation of podcast talent. The event, spearheaded by Youth+ Africa, awarded Maina and Meeni Ksh. 50,000 and Ksh. 40,000 respectively, along with additional prizes for their creative contributions.
Over the past eight weeks, 80 aspiring podcasters applied to participate in the competition. After a rigorous selection process, 11 finalists were chosen to receive personalized mentorship from industry experts, culminating in a Live Demo Day at The Alchemist in Nairobi, where they showcased their pilot episodes.
Kimani Maina, who received the “Ready for Market Award,” expressed his gratitude and excitement, saying, “This platform has been life-changing. Podcasting gives us a voice, and I’m excited to bring untold stories to the forefront and shape conversations that matter.” Shalom Meeni, who won the “People’s Choice Award,” echoed similar sentiments, highlighting podcasting’s power to connect and amplify diverse African experiences.
Freddy Mulli, CEO of Youth+ Africa, commended all participants, stating,
“Africa is home to some of the world’s most dynamic podcasting talent. We are incredibly proud of what the finalists have achieved, and we look forward to supporting these young creators as they build on their success. Podcasts are becoming a powerful medium for storytelling and income generation, and these creators are leading the way.”
The winners were recognized across six categories:
- Ready for Market Award: Kimani Maina
- People’s Choice Award: Shalom Meeni
- Impact Award: Teresa Loch
- Breakthrough Idea Award: Kellyne Njoge
- The Wazo/SemaBox Award: The Disruptors (Ngina Mualuko and Mahak Dagar)
- The Good Company Award: The Bigger Picture (Mitchelle Gathii and Austin Morara)
Youth+ Radio PodQuest 2024 was organized in collaboration with Legally Clueless by Adelle Onyango, Semabox Africa, and Joyride Studios. It aimed to highlight podcasting as a platform for education, creativity, and sustainable livelihoods for youth aged 18 to 35. The initiative was aligned with the International Youth Day (IYD) 2024 theme, “From Clicks to Progress – Digital Pathways for a Sustainable Future.”
This competition supports Youth+ Africa’s mission to empower young people across the continent through social entrepreneurship, mentorship, and capacity-building. Its Youth+ Radio platform continues to spotlight the stories of Africa’s most inspiring young entrepreneurs, reinforcing the role of digital media as a tool for progress and innovation.
