— PodcastThe Meridian17 podcast

Research that becomes conversation. Conversation that drives change.

The Meridian17 podcast brings together researchers, policymakers, journalists and business leaders for in-depth conversations on Africa–Europe partnership. Each series focuses on a specific dimension of the relationship — starting with Media in Africa, on the people who make the continent's journalism.

01 —Series 1Launches 26 August 2026
Media in Africa podcast cover — a Meridian17 podcast with Georja Calvin-Smith
First episode out now

Media in Africa: the stories that shape a continent.

10 episodes · New episodes weekly, Wednesdays · Launches 26 August 2026

How is African media made, funded, and heard, and how does that shape the wider relationship between Africa and Europe? Africa's media landscape is changing fast: a young, connected population is consuming and producing news in new ways, while newsrooms grapple with funding pressures, digital disruption and persistent stereotypes in how the continent is covered abroad. This series unpacks these shifts with the people who know it best.

Confirmed guests
  • Marie Lora-Mungai, founder and CEO of Restless Global and a leading authority on financing Africa's creative and media industries
  • Stephanie Busari, award-winning journalist and CNN's Senior Editor for Africa
  • Lisa MacLeod, former Managing Editor of the Financial Times and the first female Vice President of WAN-IFRA
  • Moky Makura, Executive Director of Africa No Filter
  • Ruud Elmendorp, Africa correspondent for the Telegraaf, Voice of America and Deutsche Welle
  • Mamaponya Motsai, CEO of fraycollege of Communications

"The way Africa and Europe understand each other is shaped by media. Businesses and investors, policymakers and the public on both continents, they rely on independent, high-quality news coverage. This is why, before we can tell any other stories, our first podcast series hands the microphone to those who make our African media or tell the stories about our continent."

Kelly Alexander, President of Meridian17
In partnership with

KAS Media Programme Sub-Saharan Africa ↗

The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung's Media Programme Sub-Saharan Africa supports independent journalism and a free, pluralistic media landscape across the continent. Based in Johannesburg, it works with editors, broadcasters and journalism schools to strengthen the institutions that report on power.

The series is produced in partnership with the programme. Editorial control rests with Meridian17.

Distribution 04 channels · 01 share row Series 01 · 2026
01 Spotify Audio · Free tier Listen 02 Apple Podcasts Audio · iOS & macOS Listen 03 YouTube Video · Web Watch 04 All platforms Pocket Casts, Overcast, RSS Browse
First episode out now

The series launches on Wednesday 26 August.

The first episode is available now as a preview, with new episodes released weekly from launch. Subscribe to our newsletter to be notified when new episodes drop, or follow us on LinkedIn for updates.

Notify me → Follow on LinkedIn ↗
02 —Our hostLead anchor · France 24 Eye on Africa
Georja Calvin-Smith
Lead anchor, France 24 Eye on Africa

Georja Calvin-Smith.

Georja is a Paris-based journalist, event moderator and TV news presenter with over two decades of experience in international current affairs broadcasting. She currently produces and anchors the daily Eye on Africa bulletin at France 24. She regularly chairs panels for institutions including the African Development Bank and the OECD's Africa Forum.

Her deep familiarity with the issues at the heart of Meridian17's research agenda makes her uniquely positioned to translate complex policy and business topics into accessible, engaging conversations.

03 —About the podcastA research ecosystem

More than a podcast. A research ecosystem.

The Meridian17 podcast is not a standalone product. It sits at the centre of our dissemination strategy, designed to translate research outputs into accessible, engaging content and distribute them at scale across both continents.

Research findings generate podcast conversations. Podcast conversations generate new research questions and connections. The ecosystem is designed to be self-reinforcing over time, with a growing audience and a progressively expanding network of contributors and followers.

04 —Future seriesThis is just the beginning

This is just the beginning.

The journalism series is the first of many. Future series will focus on other dimensions of the Africa–Europe business partnership — from investment and trade to culture, technology, and the policy frameworks that shape the relationship. Each series will be developed in partnership with relevant funders and institutional partners, and linked directly to Meridian17's ongoing research programme.

If you are interested in partnering on a future series, we would like to hear from you.

Get in touch →