The BBC is inviting journalists from across Africa to apply for the BBC News Komla Dumor Award, now marking its 10th anniversary.
This prestigious award aims to discover and nurture fresh journalistic talent from the continent. The winner will spend three months at the BBC headquarters in London, receiving valuable training and experience, and will also have the chance to travel to an African country to report on a story of their choosing, which will be broadcast to the BBC’s global audience. Applications for the award close on 20 March 2025 at 23:59 GMT.
The award honours the legacy of Komla Dumor, a celebrated Ghanaian broadcaster and former BBC World News presenter, who tragically passed away at the age of 41 a decade ago. Dumor was renowned for his dynamic and insightful journalism, particularly his role as the host of Focus on Africa, the BBC’s first-ever daily TV news programme for African audiences. His legacy lives on through this award, which continues to promote the powerful impact of African stories told with depth and integrity. His widow, Kwansema Dumor, expressed pride in her husband’s lasting influence, thanking the BBC for its ongoing recognition of his work.
Last year’s recipient, Rukia Bulle from Kenya, exemplified the award’s aim to support talented journalists from across the continent. Bulle reported on the Baye Fall community in Senegal, a Muslim minority often misunderstood by others. Jonathan Munro, BBC News’ global director, praised the ongoing search for new winners, highlighting that past recipients of the award have shown exceptional talent from various African nations. Through the Komla Dumor Award, the BBC remains committed to empowering African journalists to share authentic and nuanced African stories with the world.