The 2025 edition of the prestigious Komla Dumor Award, marking its 10th anniversary. The award, established to honor the late Ghanaian broadcaster Komla Dumor, continues to seek out and promote emerging talent in African journalism. Journalists from across the continent are invited to apply for the award, which is dedicated to unearthing new voices that tell authentic African stories with depth and insight.
Honoring Komla Dumor’s Legacy
Komla Dumor, a respected BBC World News presenter, tragically passed away at the age of 41 in 2014. His death marked the loss of a beloved figure in global journalism, one known for his engaging and insightful reporting on African issues. His legacy lives on through the BBC Komla Dumor Award, which encourages young journalists to follow in his footsteps, crafting powerful and nuanced narratives about Africa.
Dumor’s widow, Kwansema Dumor, expressed her pride in her husband’s lasting impact at the BBC and conveyed her gratitude to the network for honoring his memory through this award. “We are thankful to the BBC for remembering Komla through this prize,” she said, recognizing the significance of continuing his work in amplifying African voices on the global stage.
Award Details and Application Process
The winner of the BBC Komla Dumor Award will spend three months at the BBC’s headquarters in London, gaining hands-on experience and training in a global media environment. In addition to valuable skills development, the award recipient will travel to an African country to report on a story of their choice, with the report being broadcast to BBC’s worldwide audience.
Applications for the 2025 award close on 20th March 2025 at 23:59 GMT. Aspiring journalists are encouraged to apply for this incredible opportunity to further their careers and contribute to the vibrant world of African journalism.
A Platform for Emerging Talent
The Komla Dumor Award continues to serve as a vital platform for emerging African journalists. Rukia Bulle from Kenya, the winner of the previous year’s award, traveled to Senegal to report on the Baye Fall, a minority Muslim group often misunderstood by the wider community. Her story, which highlighted the unique experiences of the Baye Fall, demonstrated the kind of bold, dynamic journalism that the award seeks to foster.
Jonathan Munro, the BBC News Global Director and Deputy CEO, expressed his enthusiasm for the 2025 search, emphasizing the significance of the award’s 10th anniversary. “We are proud to launch this year’s BBC News Komla Dumor Award, continuing the search for exceptional journalistic talent across Africa. Komla’s legacy of reporting African stories with depth, insight, and integrity is reflected in the exceptional past winners of the award, and I look forward to welcoming this year’s recipient.”
Komla Dumor’s Career and Impact
Komla Dumor was a trailblazer in African journalism, having joined the BBC in 2007 after a successful career in Ghana. He became the presenter of Focus on Africa, the BBC’s first-ever dedicated daily TV news program for African audiences, and went on to host Africa Business Report, where he reported on the continent’s top entrepreneurs and business trends. Dumor’s comprehensive approach to journalism earned him a spot on New African magazine’s list of the 100 most influential Africans in 2013.
His legacy continues to inspire a new generation of African journalists who aim to make their mark on global media by telling compelling, honest, and impactful African stories.
Apply Now for the BBC Komla Dumor Award 2025
As the 10th anniversary of the BBC Komla Dumor Award approaches, the search for the next rising star of African journalism is officially underway. With the mentorship and global platform offered by the BBC, the winner will have the opportunity to elevate their career and contribute to the world’s understanding of Africa. If you’re an ambitious African journalist with a passion for storytelling, now is the time to apply.
Don’t miss this chance to continue the legacy of Komla Dumor. Applications for the 2025 award close on 20th March 2025. Apply now to take the next step in your journalistic journey.