EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: ‘We Are Africa’s Leading, Most Reliable News Hub in the Continent’-Asif Sheikh, Ceo/Co-founder, Africa 24 Media Ltd in Kenya *Says: ‘We provide a Multimedia Digital Platform for Africa’s Positive Stories’ *Explains: ‘We’re Largest Content House Disseminating News over 15 Hours across 54 Nations’ *Echoes: ‘We have a Good Reputation in African market for Quality, Accuracy, Breaking News’ *States: ‘In Media World, Print Edition will Struggle to Stay Relevant’ *Advice: “We Africans must create sustainable Business Models that can stand on two feet”

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW:

‘We Are Africa’s Leading, Most Reliable News Hub in the Continent’-Asif Sheikh, Ceo/Co-founder, Africa 24 Media Ltd in Kenya

*Says: ‘We provide a Multimedia Digital Platform for Africa’s Positive Stories’
*Explains: ‘We’re Largest Content House Disseminating News over 15 Hours across 54 Nations’

*Echoes: ‘We have a Good Reputation in African market for Quality, Accuracy, Breaking News’
*States: ‘In Media World, Print Edition will Struggle to Stay Relevant’

*Advice: “We Africans must create sustainable Business Models that can stand on two feet”

HE’S very cerebral, highly intelligent, detailed and conversant with the ethics and ethos of journalism. Across Africa, he’s a businessman per excellence. Asif Sheikh, Chief executive officer/Co-founder of Africa 24 Media Ltd, most celebrated Africa’s No. 1 multimedia news agency operating from Kenya, reputed and famous for investigative news coverage in bold and daring analysis as a 5^th generation Kenyan who spent 20 years in the West where he acquired profound knowledge. He comes from a successful business family that have passionately invested in many sectors but also are hands on each investment in operation. In this Exclusive Interview with CNNiReport Journalist North America, GEORGE ELIJAH OTUMU, this soft-spoken business Czar bare it all on the adventure of Africa 24 Media, challenges, accomplishment and how www.a24media.com has become the greatest news source for media outlets in the African continent and beyond.

Q: How did you conceptualized Africa24Media?
The Model for Africa 24 was based on the fact that Africa needed a voice to tell its POSITIVE stories, and for Africans to be able to learn about each other through out the continent ,and show the world who we really are, and that we are not only poor and have negative stories.

Q: What inspire you in floating this multimedia as a leader in Africa’s news dissemination?
If we are going to tell Africa’s positive stories, the target audience is our YOUTH. We therefore must have a multimedia strategy so that our content is created in a multi-platform way.

Q: Who are the target audience of Africa24Media?
Any one who is interested in the positive story on Africa. We use the term Edu-infotainment.

Q: What has been the toughest challenges you had to overcome in order to still remain Africa’s No 1 News Hub?
To produce international standard African content, you require good budgets, but the fact remains those who are purchasing African content still do not want to pay international rates.

Q: Can you take us through some of the accomplishments of Africa24Media since inception?
Largest content house in Africa. Over 15,000 hours from all 54 countries. Network of trained people across continent. The most innovative training program that teaches around our LIVE business model.

Q: Had there been anytime Africa24Media faced persecution by any African government?
NO.

Q: Why did you ensure Africa24Media is digitalized?
That is the only way the content can have any value in the market place.

Q: How did you intend to ensuring Africa24Media maintains its pride of place in quality news reportage?
By been clear on how we want to report Africa, and staying true to our editorial lines.

Q: How familiar are journalists under Africa24Media with social media in news gathering?
We take social media very seriously and when we train new young journalists, social media and marketing of stories are critical components.

Q: Are there plans in place to have Printed version (Hard Copy) of Africa24Media on news-stand across Africa?
We believe the future in media content is audio visual, and just like most place in the world PRINT will struggle to stay relevant.

Q: What are the objectives, aims and visions of Africa24Media?
To continue grow the content offerings,and be the only market leader on PAN AFRICAN content house regarding the type of content we create and help train our journalists to be able to produce quality stories.

Q: As a businessman and Chief executive officer, how do you break-even in profits earning from Africa24Media?
We have a very good reputation in market for quality. It is not so much about getting work, but choosing the right partners so that we can together tell Africa’s positive story.

Q: What is the Net Value of Africa24Media presently in view of the economic situations in Africa?
Unfortunately as we are a private company I can not share this.

Q: What lessons has life taught you as a profit-oriented businessman?
For me personally, I am very proud of what we have achieved in this space of time, especially as we could have gone the aid funded model. We Africans must create sustainable business models that can stand on our two feet.

Q: Are there plans in offing to have experienced journalists from all other parts of the world join your media firm?

This is already happening.

Q: Kindly take us briefly into your background (through your biography)
I am a 5th generation Kenyan, spent 20 years in West. I come from a business family who has invested in many sectors, likes to invest but also are hands on with each investment in operations.

Q: Finally, what message do you have for Africans at home and Africans in the Diaspora?
We call ourselves Africans, 1 billion strong, 54 countries. If we can get know each other, learn from each others’ successes, within the continent and Abroad we have a bright future. I hope that our little contribution by telling these stories is a start.