The BBC has launched the 2025 Komla Dumor Award, marking the 10th anniversary of the prestigious prize that seeks to identify and nurture emerging talent in African journalism.
Journalists from across the African continent are invited to apply for the award, which offers the winner a three-month placement at the BBC’s London headquarters, where they will receive extensive training and hands-on experience. Applications are open until March 20, 2025, at 23:59 GMT.
The award honors the legacy of Komla Dumor, a renowned Ghanaian broadcaster and former BBC World News presenter who tragically passed away at the age of 41 in 2014. Mr. Dumor’s widow, Kwansema Dumor, expressed her pride in her late husband’s impact at the BBC and thanked the organization for remembering him through the award.
In addition to training at the BBC, the award winner will travel to an African country to report on a story of their choosing, with their report broadcast to a global audience. The initiative reflects the BBC’s commitment to continuing Dumor’s legacy of championing dynamic, insightful journalism about Africa.
Rukia Bulle from Kenya, the winner of the 2024 award, spent part of her placement in Senegal, where she reported on the Baye Fall, an unorthodox Muslim minority. Her work underscored the kind of in-depth storytelling the BBC aims to promote through the award.
Jonathan Munro, BBC News Global Director and Deputy CEO, highlighted the significance of the award’s 10th anniversary, emphasizing Dumor’s powerful legacy of reporting on African stories with depth and integrity. “Past winners of the award reflect the exceptional talent across the continent,” Munro said, encouraging journalists to apply.
Mr.Dumor, who joined the BBC in 2007, made a lasting impact on global journalism with his coverage of Africa’s social, political, and economic landscape. He was the first host of Africa Business Report on BBC World News and went on to present Focus on Africa, the BBC’s first dedicated daily TV news program for African audiences.
The BBC has continued to honor his memory by fostering African journalistic talent, enabling emerging journalists to amplify their voices and stories on the world stage.
Previous Winners:
- 2024: Rukia Bulle (Kenya)
- 2023: Paa Kwesi Asare (Ghana)
- 2022: Dingindaba Jonah Buyoya (Zambia)
- 2020: Victoria Rubadiri (Kenya)
- 2019: Solomon Serwanjja (Uganda)
- 2018: Waihiga Mwaura (Kenya)
- 2017: Amina Yuguda (Nigeria)
- 2016: Didi Akinyelure (Nigeria)
- 2015: Nancy Kacungira (Uganda)
Source:TheDotNews