Carol Odero, CIO Africa
This week we interview Carol Odero, Head of Content Africa, CIO Africa by dx5. She discusses her motivations for becoming a journalist, which include holding power accountable and giving voice to the unspoken. She goes on to identify the hottest new trends and point out the unique nature of African business. Carol also stresses the importance of sharing positive stories about young, growing companies in Africa and advocates for simplifying tech and business narratives to encourage more people to join the writing community and tell stories about African tech and business.
What led you into journalism, and what would you be doing if you weren’t a journalist?
Two things: I believe in the power of journalism holding people, especially those in power, accountable. I wanted to give voice to the unspoken and to play my part in building a more informed society.
Growing up, I was always drawn to stories. I love a good book and read everything from newspapers to pamphlets! If it was written, I would devour it. I wanted to connect with people through narratives, and journalism lets me do that on a larger scale.
If I wasn’t a journalist, I would be a lawyer or a fashion designer.
When you are 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?
I like the element of surprise and novelty and look for stories that offer lessons, ingenuity, insights, case studies, all with an African bent by giving tech a human element.
One thing I deliberately strive to do is highlight the success of women in male-dominated fields. It is about subverting stereotypes and inserting fresh perspectives. These resonate with audiences.
The hottest trend is the rise of AI, and in my case, GenAI. It is already transforming the way we write. Now it is time for us to shift the way we think by turning ourselves into prompt engineers. GenAI takes the slog out of writing, but it works best if you grow your creative skills, and problem-solving genius and use your curiosity when critically and analytically thinking. It’s there to help, not to hurt. This brings me to another trend: the growth of the creative economy – music, film, fashion and art are gaining traction on the world stage. Look at Afrobeats and Nollywood. Aside from this, they are excellent employment opportunities, especially for the youth.
Why is African business so unique and what makes it so exciting to report on?
African business is like shifting sands. You never know what to expect and when things will change. But deep inside that lives innovation, determination, chutzpah and innovation. The African hustle is not really even about the business though. It is about the people who make it all happen. People who learn to surf the waves of uncertainty and unpredictability.
Beyond this, there is a reason they call Africa ‘the next frontier.’ There is great untapped potential, our rich cultures, the sheer diversity of our economies and the growing tech ecosystem.
At this point, we are pretty much becoming low-hanging fruit for anyone willing to put in the work.
Which sectors or industries do you like to cover most and why?
I have covered business, law, lifestyle, fashion and tech so I clearly do not have a favourite beat. In my first year of journalism, I learned and was repeatedly told that a great journalist can cover any beat. Usually, we have preferences based on interest, but if I limited myself to a sector or industry, I wouldn’t be where I am now.
Why is it important that people around the world get to hear about young, growing companies on the continent?
News coming out of the continent can tend to have a negative tinge. It is so easy to think good things are not happening in the continent yet there is amazement. Young, growing companies are stories of resilience, innovation and can-do spirit that inspire and motivate not just the young’uns, but even grown folk. Besides, global awareness attracts investors and opens the market to trade collaboration and possibility. This is the kind of good news everyone needs to hear about and spread widely.
How can we encourage more people to join the writing community and dedicate their energy to telling stories about African tech and business?
Anyone writing about their experiences with tech and business in Africa is already part of the storytelling ecosystem, whether they realise it or not. They’re channeling their energy into stories and narratives that matter. What we need to do is make it easier for them to connect with a broader community and amplify their impact.
As a tech journalist, DEI advocate, and a woman leading content for CIO Africa by dx5, I see firsthand how crucial clear, graspable storytelling is.
We in the media sometimes overcomplicate tech and business, making it feel intimidating and exclusive. People tend to disengage when they feel excluded or confused. My focus has always been on simplification. If it doesn’t make sense, it won’t get read. If it does make sense, it has the potential to ignite conversation and inspire change. We also have to know our audience. We speak to tech leaders and C-suite executives. We bridge that gap by speaking the language of technology without the jargon overload. It’s about respect and inclusion.
Everyone has a stake in the future of African tech and business. That’s how we grow the community, and that’s how we make a real difference.
