Deadline: March 20, 2025
Applications are open for the BBC News Komla Dumor Award 2025. In its 10th year, 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.
Komla Dumor was a journalist from Africa. His passion was to tell African stories to the world with honesty and integrity. It’s a legacy that the BBC wants to continue.
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 2025 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.
Benefits
- The BBC will pay for the winner’s flights to and from the UK and for their visa. They will also arrange and pay for the winner’s accommodation in London during their placement.
- The winner will receive a basic journalist salary during the three months in London (tax and deductions will be made as appropriate).
Eligibility
- 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 personality, voice and strong presenting skills with the ability to perform at the microphone and in front of the camera with flair;
- The ability to identify and pitch a strong original African story idea, aligned to the BBC editorial guidelines.
Application
- You must provide a CV (maximum two pages)
- You must hold or be able to obtain by March 31, 2025 a passport that is valid until at least January 31, 2026
- 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 2025 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
For more information, visit BBC News Komla Dumor Award.
