Hi 👋🏾 I’m Rachael

Welcome to the Journovator!

A little bit about me....I've spent over two decades in journalism and media, most of that time at the BBC. I held senior roles, including Senior News Editor, Head of East Africa, and Head of Journalism for Africa, leading expansion across the region and driving the BBC's digital-first strategy for the continent.

These days, I run Reebo Consult, where I help organisations figure out their editorial strategy, develop compelling content, and communicate with real impact.

Here's what keeps me up at night (in a good way): How do we reach young audiences who've checked out of traditional media? And how is AI reshaping journalism as we know it? I've been exploring these questions through keynotes on the future of media, and in early 2025, I joined the AI Journalism Lab Leadership Cohort at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY, in partnership with Microsoft.
That's why I created The Journovator—to help us all make sense of where journalism is heading, especially here in Africa.

What you'll get every two weeks: I'll track the story of AI—one of the defining stories of our time. I'll unpack what it means for African newsrooms, societies, and professionals. And through conversations with journalists actually doing the work, I'll show how AI can be used responsibly and practically.

Let's connect. Got a topic I should cover or someone I should interview? Shoot me an email at [email protected]. That's also where you can find me if you'd like to work together, collaborate on a project, or simply say hello.—Rachael Akidi