Kenya - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

African Stream is a pan-African digital media news organisation based exclusively on social-media platforms, focused on giving a voice to all Africans both at home and abroad through cutting-edge, well researched , African-centred content.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

We are an African-based and African-ran digital media news company. We cover high-impact African history, culture, politics, sports, music, entertainment, innovation, technology and infrastructure, with the explicit aim of being a one-stop shop for all things African. Our social media pages are places where people worldwide can visit and find information, news, and exciting stories about Africa, what is happening on the continent, and how it affects Africans worldwide. We only launched at the end of September 2022 and have more than 2 million followers across our pages. We work with Africans on the ground in every African country to co-create the stories that they want us to tell and from their perspective. Often the mainstream narrative about Africa has been depicted from a European or North American perspective. We say enough is enough! It is time for African voices to narrate our stories. Africa is rising and it is time for our voices to rise too!

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

Africa is woefully misrepresented in mainstream media through negative and false stereotypes and narrow portrayals that do not reflect the diverse cultures, societies, and realities of the continent. Some common ways in which Africa is misrepresented include: Sensationalizing Poverty and Conflict: Media often focuses on portrayals of poverty, disease, and conflict in Africa, creating a one-dimensional view of the continent. While these issues exist in some regions, they do not represent the entirety of Africa. At African Stream we try to show that Africa is more much more than this narrow and restrictive portrayal. To combat these misrepresentations, we seek out diverse and authentic sources of information from Africans on the ground. We are connected to African journalists and storytellers, who are determine to challenge stereotypes by promoting more nuanced and balanced narratives about Africa and African communities.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your startup provides (at least 3).

By following African Stream viewers are more informed about the region of Africa that is often underrepresented in mainstream media. Here are some reasons why we have such a big following and why are service is so important to our audience. 1. We provide diverse perspectives on local, regional, and international issues that Western media may not cover. So, a significant part of our audience are non-Africans who understand that by following the African Stream, they can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the continent's politics, economics, culture, and society and how it relates to the rest of the world. 2. African countries play a significant role in global affairs, from trade and development to climate change and security. By keeping up with the African Stream, our audience stays connected and is aware of different conflicts around the world and how they may relate to Africa. Moreover, they know how events on the continent can impact the rest of the world.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your startup’s product/service is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

African Stream serves the global community of African people both within Africa and people of African descent who live outside the African continent. It serves Africans who care about African news because staying informed about local, regional, and national developments is crucial for understanding issues that directly impact their lives, communities, and countries. It serves the global African community, aware of political, economic, social, and cultural events in Africa but wants to know more. We provide daily updates from across the continent and diaspora as well as a monthly wrap up for stories they have missed.

01.05 When was your company established?

2022-09-20

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

No

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

1

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

0

01.09 Please describe the profile of the other owners within your startup (skills, experience, etc.)

No other owners except me.

01.10 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link(s) here:

https://africanstream.media/

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

i) Communication services (telecommunications, media, interactive services)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

1. By providing accurate and timely information on economic opportunities, job openings, government programs, and social services, a reliable media portal like African Stream can connect individuals, especially those in underserved communities, with opportunities to improve their economic status. 2. A robust media outlet like African Stream can hold governments, businesses, and organizations accountable for their actions, promoting transparent governance and reducing corruption. This, in turn, can lead to more efficient allocation of resources, preventing leakages and ensuring that funds reach those in need. 3. Through informative articles, investigative reports, and data-driven stories, a good media portal can help educate the public about issues related to poverty, such as healthcare, education, and sustainable development. 4. We can inspire entrepreneurship and economic empowerment by showcasing success stories and highlighting innovative business models.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

6

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

A strong media outlet like African Stream can amplify the voices of marginalised communities, advocate for their rights, and shed light on their struggles. By giving a platform for these voices to be heard, the portal can foster empathy, solidarity, and collective action to address the root causes of poverty and inequality. This can contribute to collective fight to "end hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture".

02.03.01 My startup contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

6

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification for my startup

African stream media plays a vital role in promoting healthy lifestyles and overall well-being for all ages by providing accurate and up-to-date information on African healthcare practices and what they need to improve compared to best practices worldwide. Through our investigative journalism and in-depth reporting, the media can raise awareness about public health issues such as epidemics, sanitation challenges, vaccination campaigns, and other health threats, mobilizing communities and policymakers to take action.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

African Stream media can play a crucial role in ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities by showcasing African success stories, educational opportunities, scholarship programs, and initiatives that support inclusive education, strong pan-African media can help break down barriers to access and encourage lifelong learning for all Africans, regardless of religious or socioeconomic backgrounds

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

African Stream plays a vital role in promoting gender equality and empowering African women and girls in several ways: Firstly, half of our presenters are women, and they often tell stories about great African women, both past and present, in a segment we have on our platform called Women's Wednesdays. The show aims to showcase diverse and empowering portrayals of women in leadership roles in various professions and depict African women as agents of change. We understand that such stories can challenge stereotypes, inspire positive role models, and promote gender equality. Through our news stories, features, and documentaries, we often highlight gender-based issues, such as violence against women, unequal access to education, and workplace discrimination, particularly in politics, raising public awareness and driving conversations on gender equality.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

6

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

We have done stories on Ganvie in Benin Republic and Makoko in Nigeria, two sprawling floating slums that have both endured the harsh realities of inadequate infrastructure, scarce electricity, insufficient waste disposal services, and a chronic lack of access to clean drinking water have plagued this former fishing community. We have shown that despite the harsh realities of inadequate infrastructure and limited access to essential services, the residents of Ganvie in Benin Republic and Makoko in Nigeria have shown remarkable resilience in adapting to their environment. By exploring the innovative solutions and community-driven initiatives that residents have implemented to address challenges such as waste disposal, water access, and electricity provision, we can highlight the resourcefulness and determination of these communities to improve their living conditions.

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

We have shown our platform some of the challenges in providing for example renewable energy projects attracted investments worth $382 billion globally in 2021. But only 13 billion came to Africa. That's just 3%. That funding gap means the idea of a green transition becomes unrealistic. More importantly, access to electricity needs to be higher. Just 48% of the African population has access to the grid. So why isn't Africa doing better? One reason is that our governments aren't doing enough to incentivise private investment in renewables, especially in rural areas. For instance, only two of Kenya's 47 counties have drafted energy plans prioritising renewables. Another critical factor is the need for more skilled labour in this field. Investors can hardly put their money into renewables if people can't make it happen. We have the world’s youngest continent. If we want this new generation to thrive and not watch climate change destroy everything they build, we must adopt new policies!

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

4

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

African Stream plays a vital role in promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth and full and productive employment in several ways: By featuring success stories of African entrepreneurs, startups, and businesses and showing their journey towards success. Providing in-depth analysis of key industries and sectors that can help investors, policymakers, and stakeholders make informed decisions that drive economic development and job creation

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

4

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

African Stream has the potential to play a crucial role in reducing inequalities across Africa by: Highlighting disparities in income, access to resources, opportunities, and social services and raising awareness about the root causes and consequences of inequality fosters public understanding and empathy towards marginalised groups. Providing a platform for underrepresented communities, marginalised individuals, and disadvantaged groups to share their stories, experiences, and perspectives can amplify diverse voices, challenge stereotypes, and promote inclusivity within the media landscape.

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

3

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

African Stream media raises awareness about sustainable practices, urban planning initiatives, and community development projects to improve the quality of life in cities and communities across Africa. This could include producing educational content, documentaries, or news segments highlighting innovative solutions and success stories. We use our platform to advocate for policies and initiatives that promote sustainable urban development, environmental conservation, and social equity. We go to community meetings and try to engage with policymakers, community leaders, and civil society organizations to amplify their voices and mobilize public support for sustainable initiatives.

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

3

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

As I said earlier, Africa boasts the world's youngest continent. If we want this new generation to thrive and not watch climate change destroy everything they build, we must adopt new policies now. We need to up-skill our young and retain their talents within our continent. It's better for the planet and better for Africans. We must engage Africa young people in climate change issues even though it can sometimes dull and unrelatable to their lives. This can harness their energy, creativity, and innovative solutions to address pressing environmental challenges. By showcasing what young people in Africa are already doing, we can inspire collective action and empower young Africans to become champions of climate resilience and environmental stewardship.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

African Stream media raises awareness of the importance of oceans, seas, and marine resources for ecosystem health. We also use our platform to educate the public about biodiversity and human well-being. Raise awareness about the threats facing marine environments, such as pollution, overfishing, habitat destruction, and climate change, and highlight the urgent need for conservation action. We tell compelling stories through documentaries, articles, videos, and social media campaigns that showcase marine ecosystems' beauty, diversity, and cultural significance. Use storytelling to inspire empathy, foster connection, and mobilize support for marine conservation efforts among diverse audiences, including policymakers, businesses, and local communities.

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

At African stream we are very passionate about this topic and have used our platform to highlight how ten African countries are working to divide the African continent in two. In an ambitious pan-African effort to protect arable land from the encroaching Sahara desert - by planting trees from Senegal in the west all the way to Djibouti in the east. Dubbed The Great Green Wall, it is an African-led plan with an ambition to grow an 8,000km green wall across the entire width of Africa, designed not to keep migrants out or keep smuggled goods in check, but to trap the sands of the Sahara, halt the advance of the world’s largest hot desert and restore 100-million hectares of land to agricultural productivity. Once complete, the Great Green Wall made of trees, grasslands and plants will be the largest living structure on the planet, a whopping 3 times larger than the Great Barrier Reef. These type of stories are important because they show there are African solutions to African problems.

02.16.01 My startup contributes to the Peace Justice and Strong Institutions goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

African Streams uses our platform to raise awareness about the importance of peace, social cohesion, and inclusivity for sustainable development. Highlight the consequences of conflict, violence, discrimination, and inequality, and promote understanding, empathy, and dialogue among diverse communities. We also amplify voices advocating for non-violent conflict resolution, reconciliation, and peacebuilding initiatives and showcase successful African examples of local peace building efforts. We also shed light on barriers to accessing justice, including legal, financial, cultural, and social obstacles, and advocate for legal empowerment and equal rights for all individuals, especially marginalized and vulnerable groups. Provide information about legal rights, remedies, and support services available to communities, highlighting successful initiatives promoting access to justice. Finally, we hold institutions and leaders accountable by reporting on issues of corruption, abuse of power,

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

We use African Stream digital platforms and social media to create and disseminate content that educates the public and stakeholders about the importance of global partnerships. We also showcase successful partnerships and initiatives in Africa and beyond that contribute to sustainable development. We use social media, webinars, and other interactive platforms to engage our audience and spread awareness. Finally, we ensure that the media content includes diverse voices, particularly those of marginalised communities, women, and youth, to promote inclusivity.

06.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

2

06.02 The product/service represents an entirely new type of product/service.

4

06.03 The product/service could be described as a new technology.

3

06.04 The product/service is an improvement on an existing product or service.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.05 The product/service could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

2

06.06 The product/service responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.07 The product/service is a new version of an old product/service.

3

06.08 Justification for my startup

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Our main competitors are Okay Africa, BBC News Africa and TRT AFRIKA. The biggest difference

11.05 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

Yes! We are not only committed to providing diverse and inclusive content but also to empowering women both within the organisation and through the stories they share. By actively encouraging women to present stories and highlighting empowering narratives about women on our channel, we not only amplify their voices but also inspire others across the continent. Representation matters, and by showcasing the achievements, struggles, and successes of African women, we aim to contribute to a more inclusive and equitable media landscape. Providing role models and examples of resilience and empowerment can have a profound impact on individuals, communities, and society as a whole.