Broadcasting
SABRE EMEA: Africa PR & Comms Report Committee Hails BlackHouse Media, BCW, Clockwork, Edelman and Razor on Excellent Achievement

The coordinating committee of the Africa PR & Comms Report (APCR) has commended the top five PR consultancies across Africa – BCW, BlackHouse Media Group (BHMG), Clockwork, Edelman and Razor for their recognition by one of the most respected communications awards in the world.
These five companies from Nigeria and South Africa have been nominated in the 18th edition of PRovoke’s prestigious, SABRE Awards EMEA.
Over 400 campaigns were selected from more than 2,000 entries in this year’s keenly contested competition. The award, which recognizes superior achievement in branding, reputation and engagement, will announce the winners at The Guildhall in London on May 27.
The Awards benchmark the best PR work from across the globe. This year, 10 indigenous African agencies received 21 nominations on the shortlist, with the top five vying for the ‘2022 Africa Consultancy of the Year’ honour.
APCR Committee member, and Co-founder, Africa Communications Week, Eniola Harrison says, “As we work on producing the first-ever annual PR and Comms report from the continent, we are proud of the recognition African firms have received this year from the team at PRovoke.
“The continued growth and success of practitioners on the continent is a testament to the years of hard work, continued investment and the passion our leaders have not only for the profession, but also for the continent.
“And we look forward to providing the world with the much needed insights and perspectives so that this growth will only continue.”
BCW Africa is an award-winning African public relations network, with partners in over 50 African countries, and its headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa. In 2021, the company’s CEO of over 30 years, Robyn de Villiers, stepped down, encouraging a new leadership of co-managing directors — Bridget von Holdt and Karl Haechler.
During that year, the agency fine-tuned its proprietary approach to developing communications strategy collaboratively with clients via deep-dive workshops, and increased its focus on issues management and crisis communications for a growing list of public sector and private clients across multiple sectors and countries.
AstraZeneca, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, CNN, Warner Media, Vedanta, Facebook, Danone Nutricia Côte d’Ivoire, Del Monte Kenya, Toyota Kenya, Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, Mastercard Foundation, Bank of Africa and Airtel Nigeria, are some of the company’s award-winning clients.
Founded by two journalists, Tom Manners and Nic Simmonds, in South Africa 11 years ago, Clockwork has quickly become one of the continent’s top agencies. In that short time, the company has won in the ‘African Agency of the Year’ category three times. With its focus on digital, the company has also expanded operations to the UK. Clockwork focuses on strategy, creativity and measurement across technology, gaming, entertainment and financial services.
Some of its campaign highlights include #RewriteOurProverbs to #WriteOffGBV for Green Door, as well as work for Meta, Netflix and Acer.
BlackHouse Media Group, a global public relations and communications company, working from Africa and the United Kingdom, intends to be Africa’s first truly global PR firm leveraging insights into different markets, relationships, industry expertise and technology.
Since its inception, in 2006, BHM has grown into a US$3.7m operation offering clients a range of services — reputation management and corporate comms, media relations and training, research, and social media among others.
The firm currently has its African operations steered by ID Africa, a pan-African communications advisory and execution company. Honeywell Group, Shoprite, ALAT, BMGF, Project Management Institute, Showmax and Jumia, MultiChoice DSTV, MTN Nigeria, Reckitt, X3M Ideas, Livespot 360, Nigerian Breweries, Lori Systems and Betway, are some of the company’s big-ticket clients.
On the list, the newest full entry into the market is Edelman, after acquiring longtime South African affiliate, Baird’s Renaissance, nine years ago. With its key location in South Africa, the agency took further steps in 2019 by acquiring arguably one of Kenya’s oldest PR firms, Gina Din Corporate Communication.
This acquisition has given the company a foothold in Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda and Ethiopia. The company’s work for Unilever – “Brut Virtual Elevator Pitch,” #BeautyAtHomeWithU – has continued to be a big selling point. Edelman’s Trust Barometer has also expanded to the continent.
M&C Saatchi’s Razor launched in South Africa under the stewardship of Dustin Chick and Kalay Maistry only two years ago, but has quite rapidly become a must-watch within Africa’s communications industry.
The company boasts of expertise in financial services, technology, public advocacy and measurement with heavy investment in creative strategy and corporate storytelling. Clients include Anglo American, The Beverage Company, Investec and Innovation African, Tiger Brands, Audi, Dimension Data, BDO and Discovery Life.
Broadcasting
Navigating the Maze: Solutions for Nigeria’s Flourishing Foodtech Industry

By Diana Tenabe, Chief Operating Officer, Foodstuff Store
Nigeria’s foodtech sector holds immense promise to transform our nation’s food production, distribution, and consumption systems.
However, this burgeoning industry currently navigates a complex maze of challenges that could significantly hinder its progress. While innovation and entrepreneurial drive are abundant, a confluence of infrastructural deficits, economic headwinds, technological disparities, and logistical complexities casts a shadow on the sector’s long-term viability.
Understanding and addressing these multifaceted hurdles is paramount for foodtech companies aspiring to thrive and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s food security.
One of the most significant impediments to the foodtech sector’s advancement is Nigeria’s persistent infrastructural weaknesses.
The unreliable power supply, a well-known constraint for businesses nationwide, directly threatens food preservation, increasing spoilage risks and driving up operational costs for companies reliant on refrigeration and consistent processing.
Similarly, the often-deteriorated state of our road networks complicates logistics and transportation, hindering the efficient movement of goods from farms to consumers and across the supply chain.
Furthermore, limited access to clean water exacerbates operational challenges, particularly for maintaining food processing and hygiene standards. Collectively, these infrastructural shortcomings inflate operational expenses and introduce vulnerabilities throughout the food supply chain.
Economic constraints add another layer of intricacy. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates create instability in pricing and procurement, especially for businesses dealing with imported technologies or ingredients. Persistent inflation erodes consumer purchasing power and increases the cost of essential inputs, squeezing profit margins for startups.
Moreover, limited access to credit and investment capital makes it difficult for emerging foodtech companies to secure the necessary funding to invest in crucial technology, infrastructure, and expansion efforts.
This financial constraint can stifle innovation and prevent promising ventures from reaching their full potential.
The digital divide also poses a unique challenge for foodtech companies aiming to leverage online platforms and digital solutions. While mobile phone usage is widespread in Nigeria, disparities in digital literacy and access to reliable internet connectivity can restrict the widespread adoption of online food ordering and delivery services, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
This necessitates creative and inclusive strategies to bridge the digital gap and reach a broader consumer base.
Inefficiencies within the supply chain represent a critical bottleneck in the Nigerian food system. Fragmented agricultural supply chains, characterised by numerous intermediaries and a lack of transparency, contribute to alarmingly high post-harvest losses.
Inadequate storage facilities and inefficient transportation infrastructure further compound these issues, leading to significant waste and price volatility.
Addressing these systemic weaknesses is crucial for ensuring a stable and affordable food supply for all Nigerians.
Navigating Nigeria’s regulatory landscape can also be a daunting task for foodtech businesses. The presence of multiple regulatory agencies, coupled with often bureaucratic and time-consuming processes for obtaining licenses and permits, can create significant hurdles for startups. Clear, consistent, and streamlined processes within the regulatory framework are essential to foster a more enabling environment for innovation and growth.
Building consumer trust and acceptance for new food technologies requires overcoming inherent skepticism and unfamiliarity. Concerns regarding food safety, quality, and the security of online transactions can hinder the adoption of novel food products and digital platforms.
Transparent communication, robust quality control measures, and consistent consumer engagement are vital for building confidence and fostering widespread acceptance.
Finally, a notable talent gap exists within the Nigerian foodtech ecosystem.
A shortage of professionals possessing specialised skills in food science, technology, business management, and logistics can limit the growth and innovation capacity of companies in this sector. Addressing this skills deficit through targeted training and development initiatives is crucial for long-term success.
Despite these significant challenges, promising pathways forward can be forged through innovative and context-specific approaches. Investing in localised infrastructure solutions, such as independent power generation and efficient localised logistics networks, can mitigate the impact of broader infrastructural deficiencies.
Exploring diverse funding avenues beyond traditional banking, including angel investors, government grants, crowdfunding, and revenue-based financing, can alleviate financial constraints.
Adapting to the digital divide by leveraging basic mobile technology and employing offline strategies like local agent networks can expand reach and inclusivity.
Building resilient supply chains through direct farmer relationships, investing in aggregation centres, and utilising technology for farm management offer tangible solutions to logistical inefficiencies.
Proactive engagement with regulatory bodies and advocating for clearer, more supportive policies are crucial for navigating the regulatory landscape effectively. Building consumer trust necessitates transparent sourcing practices, clear communication about product benefits and safety, and active engagement with consumer feedback.
Finally, investing in talent development through collaborations with educational institutions and in-house training programs can bridge the critical skills gap.
Foodstuff Store is emerging as a business with a clear vision to directly confront several of these challenges. We are actively developing a decentralised network of businesses supported by strategically located distribution hubs across target states.
This approach will directly address the limitations imposed by poor road networks, ensuring more localised access to our food products.
Furthermore, the establishment of regional storage facilities, including a state-of-the-art solar-powered cold storage, directly tackles infrastructural deficiencies related to food preservation and ensuring a consistent supply.
Foodstuff Store’s ambition for end-to-end management of the food supply chain, encompassing in-house production, direct sourcing, advanced storage solutions, and efficient distribution, offers a powerful solution to existing supply chain inefficiencies.
This integrated approach promises enhanced quality control, significant reductions in post-harvest losses, and a more reliable supply of both perishable and non-perishable goods for our customers.
Our aspiration to become the “Amazon for Food Products” is a clear and ambitious goal underpinned by a technology-driven approach to all aspects of our operational management.
Foodstuff Store’s vision underscores a business model strategically designed to overcome significant hurdles within the Nigerian foodtech sector, offering a beacon of potential and a pathway to a more secure and efficient food system in a challenging yet remarkably promising landscape.
Broadcasting
History as TVC News Unveils Nigeria’s First AI-Powered News Anchors

TVC News has broken new ground in Nigeria’s media space with the launch of the country’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) news presenters.
Rolled out in May 2025, the AI anchors will deliver news bulletins in English, Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, and Pidgin, reflecting the broadcaster’s commitment to technological advancement and linguistic inclusion.
The initiative is designed to enhance news delivery by supporting human journalists, not replacing them.
TVC Communications, the parent company of TVC News, described the development as a milestone in its efforts to integrate cutting-edge technology into broadcast journalism.
“We are thrilled to pioneer this innovation in Nigeria’s media industry,” said Victoria Ajayi, chief executive officer, TVC Communications.
“Our AI news anchors represent a new era in news reporting, and this move underscores our dedication to using technology as a tool for growth and progress.”
Ajayi clarified that the AI-generated content will undergo thorough editorial review.
“Trained journalists and editors will assess every output to ensure it meets our standards of accuracy, balance, and credibility,” she noted.
In response to concerns about the potential misuse of AI, the organisation said it had established rigorous editorial safeguards, including watermarking and verification protocols. It also reaffirmed its adherence to the Nigerian Broadcasting Code and journalistic ethics.
With this launch, TVC News has become a trailblazer in AI-assisted journalism in Africa, setting a bold example for future media innovation across the continent.
Broadcasting
FXTM Academy Hosts Charity Cycling Event, Pedal for Progress

FXTM Academy recently hosted the Pedal for Progress charity cycling event, bringing together 200 participants from cities across Nigeria, including Port Harcourt, Ilorin, Ibadan, Abeokuta, and Lagos.
Held on Saturday, April 19, the competition featured six race categories—Professional Male, Professional Female, Junior Male, Junior Female, Veteran Male, and Veteran Female—allowing cyclists of all skill levels to compete.
The race began at 8:00 a.m., with Juniors completing 10 laps, Veterans tackling 14 laps, and Professionals racing 20 laps, each lap spanning 2.8 kilometers.
Participants competed for significant cash prizes, with winners in the Professional categories receiving ₦800,000, ₦500,000, ₦300,000, and ₦200,000, while those finishing 5th to 15th place earned ₦50,000 each. Junior and Veteran winners also received substantial rewards.
Spectators and participants praised FXTM Academy for fostering unity, sportsmanship, and talent development, with many eagerly anticipating future events.
The academy emphasized its commitment to empowering communities and promoting values such as perseverance, discipline, endurance, and continuous improvement.
FXTM Academy’s Country Representative, Kelechi Ehibudu, highlighted the academy’s dedication to blending sport, charity, and empowerment, setting a new benchmark for community-focused initiatives in Nigeria.
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