Radio continues to thrive across Africa, with studies estimating listenership to be between 60% and 80% of the continent’s population of 1.4 billion people. Despite the shift towards streaming and podcasts in many Western countries, traditional radio remains a reliable and inclusive medium in Africa due to poor literacy levels and uneven access to the internet and technological infrastructure.
According to industry reports, the celebration of radio’s 100-plus years offers an opportunity to reflect on its historical significance, cultural relevance, political power, and social impact on the continent. The introduction of radio in Africa served colonial interests, allowing Europeans in the colonies to connect with their culture, languages, and home.
The first official broadcast in Africa was in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 18 December 1923, and radio was first introduced in Kenya in 1927 and Sierra Leone in 1934.
The arrival of radio in British colonies such as The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Gold Coast (now Ghana), and Nigeria marked a turning point, as wired services were created to cater to African listeners. The British colonial administration decided to develop radio broadcasting throughout its African colonies in 1936.
While digital convergence is reshaping radio consumption and blurring audience patterns, this isn’t happening uniformly across the continent.
Digital platforms face challenges such as the digital divide and economic inequality. Radio’s influence is likely to endure, with podcasts complementing rather than replacing traditional broadcasts. A 2022 survey across 34 African countries found that radio was overwhelmingly the most common source for news, showcasing its enduring influence and unique ability to connect with diverse audiences even a century after its introduction.
