BBC launches 2024 Komla Dumor Award

The BBC is seeking a rising star of African journalism for the BBC News Komla Dumor Award, now in its ninth year.

Journalists from across Africa are invited to apply for the award, which aims to uncover and promote fresh talent from the continent.

The winner will spend three months at the BBC headquarters in London, gaining skills and experience.

Applications close on 15 March 2023 at 23:59 GMT.

The award was established to honour Komla Dumor, an exceptional Ghanaian broadcaster and presenter for BBC World News, who died suddenly aged 41 a decade ago.

Dumor's widow, Kwansema Dumor, said she was "proud" of her husband's impact at the BBC, and also said her family were "thankful to the BBC for remembering him" through the prize.

The BBC is encouraging journalists across Africa to apply for the prize, which seeks to promote and celebrate outstanding journalistic talent living and working on the continent.

As well as receiving training, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to travel to a country in Africa to report on a story that they have researched, with the report broadcast to the BBC's global audiences.

Known for championing robust, dynamic journalism and for his commitment to reporting African stories comprehensively and authentically, Dumor made a significant impact on Africa and the rest of the world.

The BBC is committed to continuing his legacy through the award by empowering journalists from Africa to tell original and nuanced African stories to reach international audiences.

Find out more about the award and whether you are eligible to enter

Ghanaian news anchor Paa Kwesi Asare was last year's winner - hailing from the same country as the late Komla Dumor.

During his placement he travelled to Kenya to report on the push to make the country's "boda boda" motorbike taxis use electricity, rather than petrol or diesel.

Liliane Landor, senior controller of BBC News International Services, said: "We have been impressed and delighted with the calibre of talent that has shone through, thanks to the award in Komla's name.

"Through his legacy we want to continue to celebrate Africa's journalistic excellence."

Dumor was the presenter of Focus on Africa, the BBC's first-ever dedicated daily TV news programme in English for African audiences. It was broadcast on BBC World News, which last year merged with the BBC News Channel to create a single 24-hour TV news service.

He was also one of the lead presenters for BBC World News' European morning segment.

He joined the BBC in 2007 after a decade of broadcast journalism in his native Ghana where he won the Ghana Journalist of the Year award.

Between 2007 and 2009 he hosted Network Africa on BBC World Service, before joining The World Today programme.

In 2009 Dumor became the first host of the African business news programme on BBC World News, Africa Business Report. He travelled across Africa, meeting Africa's top entrepreneurs and reporting on the latest business trends around the continent.

In 2013 Dumor featured in New African magazine's list of the 100 most influential Africans.

Previous winners:

2023: Paa Kwesi Asare from Ghana

2022: Dingindaba Jonah Buyoya from Zambia

2020: Victoria Rubadiri from Kenya

2019: Solomon Serwanjja from Uganda

2018: Waihiga Mwaura from Kenya

2017: Amina Yuguda from Nigeria

2016: Didi Akinyelure from Nigeria

2015: Nancy Kacungira from Uganda