They might not be household names, but these five individuals are the most dominant forces in African media. As founders, heads and CEOs of some of Africa’s largest media conglomerates, they shape opinions and inspire thought processes through their varied multi-media interests. They are Africa’s answers to the likes of Rupert Murdoch, Sumner Redstone or Ted Turner.
These are the five most powerful media moguls in Africa:
Koos Bekker
Nationality: South African
CEO, Naspers
The 59 year-old South African is easily Africa’s most powerful media mogul. As CEO and the largest individual shareholder of Naspers, a $12 billion (market cap) media conglomerate, Bekker controls 23 magazines (including YOU, Drum and True Love), 7 newspapers, pay-TV giant DSTV, and Brazilian publisher Abril. Bekker believes the future of media lies online. He has spent hundreds of millions gobbling up significant stakes in some of the web’s most valued internet outfits, including a 30% stake in London-listed Russian Internet giant, Mail.ru. Naspers also owns stakes in 24.com, Mxit Lifestyle and QQ. He has been chief executive of Naspers since 1997.
Linus Gitahi
Nationality: Kenyan
CEO, Nation Media Group
The Kenyan national heads East Africa’s largest media conglomerate, the Nairobi Stock Exchange-listed Nation Media Group (NMG). The $350 million (market cap) conglomerate owns 7 newspapers, including Daily Nation, the region’s highest-circulating daily newspaper. NMG’s other assets include 3 television and 3 radio stations, as well as mobile value added services and Internet companies across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Gitahi holds an MBA from the United States International University, Kenya.
Reginald Mengi
Nationality: Tanzania
CEO, IPP Group
A trained Chartered accountant, Mengi is one of Africa’s most revered media moguls, and one of Tanzania’s most influential men. The IPP Group, which he founded in the mid 1980s, owns 10 national newspapers (including Tanzania’s Financial Times, ThisDay and The Guardian), two of East Africa’s most popular Television stations (EATV and ITV), and about ten radio stations.
Prakash Desai
Nationality: South Africa
CEO, Avusa
Desai heads Avusa, a South African media conglomerate that owns 16 newspapers (including Business Day, Sunday Times) 9 magazines, Cinemas (NuMetro), a record label (Gallo) and numerous retail outlets. Prakash, who was appointed chief executive in 2006, serves as a board member of the World Association of Newspapers and is president of trade association Print Media South Africa.
Nduka Obaigbena
Nationality: Nigerian
Publisher, ThisDay Newspaper
Obaigbena, 52, is the chairman of Leaders & Company, which publishes ThisDay, easily Nigeria’s most influential newspaper. Obaigbena has often been the subject of intense criticism by local and international media for his closeness to politicians, particularly those of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP). In April, an Al-Jazeera Television programme indirectly referred to Obaigbena as a corrupt journalist who blackmailed public officials for financial compensation. He refuted the allegations; Al-Jazeera issued an apology shortly afterwards.
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