Brian George, NTV Kenya – Nation Media Group
The focus of this week’s spotlight takes us to Kenya-based broadcast journalist, Brian George from NTV Kenya. Brian emphasises the contributions made by youth in the Kenyan tech space. Moreover, he thinks that people are not being reached by tech material and that everyone is aware of how the world is changing.
What led you into journalism, and what would you be doing if you weren’t a journalist?
I always wanted a front-row seat handling national issues and managing conversations about policy and geopolitics having an impact on day-to-day matters. This is how I got into the media, mainstream media no less. That said, if I weren’t a journalist, I’d be a lawyer, a politician or a diplomat. I am gaining interest in various areas but I find these very constant. I may just end up as one of these in my next life.
Just watch out for the Kenyan tech space, there’s a lot happening and the youth here are out to provide solutions, especially leaning towards renewable energy, climate adaptation and mitigation and more fintechs that will gobble up the majority of VC funds, as has been the case globally.
When you’re researching stories, what compels you to work on sharing a particular story with your audience? Any hot trends we should look out for in the coming months?
My way of prospecting for stories is pretty much in line with the journalistic methods of prominence, bizarreness, oddity or uniqueness. Methods of execution and research are equally guided by these.
Trends? I tend to have a bias for tech, startups, and innovations. I guess just watch out for the Kenyan tech space, there’s a lot happening and the youth here are out to provide solutions, especially leaning towards renewable energy, climate adaptation and mitigation and more fintechs that will gobble up the majority of VC funds, as has been the case globally.
Why is African business so unique and what makes it so exciting to report on?
The fact is that a lot of African businesses are intertwined with culture and socialism. For instance, MPESA which is Kenya’s flagship fintech is a huge success because it is tied to the high dependency rate in the country. It has become a key bridge to the banking inequality, providing lots of services now from banking to savings and recently overdraft services.
This has been a key game-changer in the Kenyan economy. Likewise, most innovations are related to the challenges Africans face on a daily basis and telling stories of solutions is what makes my job fulfilling.
These businesses carry a huge sentiment in building African economies and everyone needs to be hands on deck in supporting start-ups in whichever way they can
Which sectors or industries do you like to cover most and why?
Tech, startups, innovations, renewable and new trends. I am fascinated with the idea of building products, software, new gadgets in the market, tech policies and how they are affecting daily lives. Tech is the new frontier shaping almost every aspect of life and making life easier. Apart from these, I enjoy diplomacy, I enjoy international relations and cross-border trade.
Why is it important that people around the world get to hear about young, growing companies on the continent?
Because they are the future. Currently MSME’s employ about 80% of the Kenyan population and contribute 50% to Kenya’s GDP. This impact can’t be wished away. These businesses carry a huge sentiment in building African economies and everyone needs to be hands on deck in supporting startups in whichever way they can. My way of contributing is by telling their stories in the best of ways I can.
How can we encourage more people to join the writing community and dedicate their energy to telling stories about African tech and business?
By communicating the need for tech writers. So many people are unreached with tech content and there is a shared knowledge of where the world is moving to. Likewise, there’s a huge gap in financial literacy, and this is an area that needs more ventilation.
