BBC Komla Dumor Award for Outstanding African Journalists 2023

Komla Dumor was a BBC News journalist whose passion was to tell African stories to the world with honesty and integrity.

It’s a legacy that the BBC wants to continue.

The BBC News Komla Dumor Award will be made to an outstanding individual living and working in Africa, who combines strong journalism skills, on air flair, and an exceptional talent in telling African stories with the ambition and potential to become a star of the future.

About BBC

We’re impartial and independent, and every day we create distinctive, world-class programmes and content which inform, educate and entertain millions of people in the UK and around the world. We do this across: A portfolio of television services, including the UK’s most-watched channel BBC One, the pioneering online-only youth service BBC Three, and our multi award-winning channels for children, as well as national and regional television programmes and services across England. Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales Ten UK-wide radio networks, providing the best live music... re... read more

Komla Dumor Award

Aim and Benefits of Komla Dumor Award

The winner of the BBC World News Komla Dumor award will receive a once-in-a-lifetime training and development opportunity with the BBC in London, starting in early September 2023 and running for three months.  Working with teams from across BBC News, the winner will produce an African story for the BBC and have their story and their voice shared across the continent and the world.  They will be supported by a high-level BBC mentor and attend courses run by the BBC’s world-class training department, the BBC Academy.

The winner will be given a stipend plus their London accommodation and travel to and from their home. 

Komla Dumor Award Courses

• Journalism

Requirements for Komla Dumor Award Qualification

To apply for this prestigious award, you must be currently living and working as a journalist in Africa.

You must also have the following skills and experience:

• Excellent journalism skills, including in digital and social media.
• Broadcasting experience is preferable.
• An excellent broadcasting voice and strong presenting skills with the ability to perform at the microphone with flair.
• The ability to identify and pitch a strong original African story idea, aligned to the BBC editorial guidelines http://www.bbc.co.uk/editorialguidelines/
• Wide and up-to-date knowledge and understanding of the African continent, including politics, business, culture, history and sport.
• Fluency in English as a first or equivalent language.

Interview date, Process and Venue for Komla Dumor Award

Additional requirements for all applicants

• You must provide a CV (maximum two pages) / complete a careers hub profile.
• You must hold or be able to obtain a valid passport
• You must not be a current or former member of BBC staff.
• If successful, your employer must be willing to release you for three months from September 2023 for you to travel on your own to take up your placement in London.
• The visa requires that you hold a degree or are studying towards a degree equivalent to a UK Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university.
• References, proof of employment, birth certificate, passport, an appropriate UK visa and proof of level of English will be required from shortlisted candidates.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

For more details, visit BBC website.