Ganiu Oloruntade, TechCabal
Stories about startups and their business models on the continent continue to be told for Africans, by Africans. This is especially true for Ganiu Oloruntade, Reporter at TechCabal who shares with us how important it is to own our narratives.
What led you into journalism, and what would you be doing if you weren’t a journalist?
The truth is, I never wanted to be a journalist. Considering my background in Political Science, I have always thought I’d end up in academia. I was grooming myself to become a lecturer. But it turned out life had other plans for me.
My journey into journalism was by accident. I used to write commentaries on Nigerian politics and economy on social media. An older friend, who followed my work, offered me a job to write for his news platform. That changed everything. I would go on from writing everything—politics, entertainment, and sports—to covering tech.
If I weren’t a journalist, I’d probably be a lecturer at my alma mater.
African businesses, particularly startups and technology companies, form a critical economic engine for the continent. I believe they will shape our future.
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?
I am generally curious about innovation and how technology is changing our world as we see it. For me, stories about startups and their business models are worth telling because they help us understand the endless possibilities of innovation on the continent. Like the rest of the world, Africa has caught the AI bug so we should expect to see more AI-powered solutions this year.
Why is African business so unique and what makes it so exciting to report on?
Africa has a serious and worthwhile tech industry that is worth covering, not just for investors but also for everyday people. African businesses, particularly startups and technology companies, form a critical economic engine for the continent. I believe they will shape our future.
I strongly believe that Africa has so much to offer the rest of the world and the stories of home-grown businesses are a testament to this.
Which sectors or industries do you like to cover most and why?
I have always been interested in policies and regulations because I believe innovation cannot thrive without government support. It takes one bad policy to shut down an entire industry. I am equally passionate about the business models of startups.
Why is it important that people around the world get to hear about young, growing companies on the continent?
I strongly believe that Africa has so much to offer the rest of the world and the stories of home-grown businesses are a testament to this. As journalists, we have a responsibility to tell these stories—the good, the bad, and the ugly. If we don’t own our narratives, who will?
How can we encourage more people to join the writing community and dedicate their energy to telling stories about African tech and business?
Tech and business journalism in Africa is still nascent so there is a talent gap. We need to create a pathway into the industry. Think of workshops, trainings, and fellowships.
