Podcasters Kimani Maina and Shalom Meeni have emerged as the top winners at the inaugural Youth+ Radio PodQuest 2024, receiving Kes50,000 and Kes40,000 in prize money.

The pioneering competition, organized by Youth+ Africa as a platform to discover Africa’s next generation of podcast talent, highlights the growing role of podcasting as a platform for storytelling, expression, and business.

A total of 80 contestants competed for a place over an eight-week campaign, with 11 finalists benefiting from one-on-one mentorship with industry experts. The finalists showcased their pilot episodes during a Live Demo Day at The Alchemist, Nairobi, on October 18, 2024.

Reflecting on his victory, Kimani Maina, who won the Ready for Market Award, noted, “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, winner of the People's Choice Award, added: “Podcasting is a powerful tool for storytelling, and I’m eager to continue creating content that connects people and amplifies diverse African experiences.”

Shalom is eager to further explore the power of audio storytelling as audio podcasts are becoming more and more preferred by the consumers.

“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,” Freddy Mulli, CEO of Youth+ Africa.

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The winners were recognized in the following 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)

Other than the prize money, the winners will receive full-season podcast production, marketing and branding support, and three months of mentorship from industry leaders.

Youth+ Radio PodQuest 2024, organized in partnership with Legally Clueless by Adelle Onyango, Semabox Africa, and Joyride Studios, was created to highlight the potential of podcasting as a medium for education, creativity, and sustainable livelihoods for youth aged 18 to 35.

The initiative was launched in line with the International Youth Day (IYD) 2024 theme, “From Clicks to Progress – Digital Pathways for a Sustainable Future.”

The competition aligns with Youth+ Africa’s mission to empower young people across the continent through social entrepreneurship, mentorship, and capacity-building initiatives.

Through its Youth+ Radio platform, the organization continues to highlight the inspiring stories of Africa’s young entrepreneurs, setting the stage for a vibrant future in podcasting.

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