Kimani Maina and Shalom Meeni have today been announced as top winners after receiving Ksh. 50,000 and Ksh. 40,000 respectively amongst other prizes at the inaugural Youth+ Radio PodQuest 2024, a youth-centered podcasting competition spearheaded by Youth+ Africa. The groundbreaking initiative aimed to discover Africa’s next generation of podcast talent.
Over eight weeks, 80 participants applied, and 11 finalists underwent intense one-on-one mentorship from industry experts before showcasing their pilot episodes at a Live Demo Day held at The Alchemist in Nairobi.
Reflecting on their win, Kimani Maina, winner of the Ready for Market Award, expressed his excitement: “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.”
Freddy Mulli, CEO of Youth+ Africa, praised all participants: “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.”
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In addition to receiving a range of prize money, full-season podcast production, marketing and branding support, and three months of mentorship with industry leaders, 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)
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. Its Youth+ Radio platform continues to spotlight stories of Africa’s most inspiring young entrepreneurs.