Afridigest is written for and by progressive business leaders & thinkers across Africa & the African diaspora. We amplify external voices as a key part of our mission, and we welcome unsolicited submissions for publication.
We particularly value originality, and we relish contributions that probe underexplored subjects, offer new perspectives, and/or reveal hard-won insights. We particularly welcome commentary that goes against conventional wisdom or dissents from opinions and analysis previously published on Afridigest.
What We’re Looking For
Types of Articles We Accept:
- Business analysis and commentary that offers fresh insights into African markets, industries, or economic trends
- Contrarian perspectives that challenge prevailing narratives about African business and development
- First-person accounts from entrepreneurs, executives, and business leaders sharing lessons learned from their journeys
- Innovation spotlights that highlight emerging business models, technologies, or solutions addressing African challenges
- Policy analysis examining how regulations, government decisions, or international agreements impact African business
- Cross-border insights connecting African business developments to global trends and opportunities
- Policy analysis examining how regulations, government decisions, or international agreements impact African business
What We Don’t Accept:
- Press releases or promotional content — visit Partner Stories
- Articles primarily promoting a specific company, product, or service
- Academic papers without clear business relevance
Editorial Standards
Think Continental: Your article should resonate with business leaders from Lagos to Nairobi to Cape Town. Local examples are powerful, and insights that have broader relevance across African markets are even more so.
Write from Experience: We prioritize authors who can draw from direct experience — whether as entrepreneurs, investors, policy makers, or close observers of African business dynamics.
Be Specific and Concrete: Support your arguments with real examples, data points, and vivid details. A story about how mobile money transformed rural commerce in Kenya tells us more than abstract theories about financial inclusion.
Challenge Assumptions: We especially welcome pieces that question conventional wisdom or offer counterintuitive insights about African business and economic development.
Write Clearly: Your piece should be accessible to intelligent non-specialists. Avoid jargon, define technical terms, prioritize clarity over complexity, and write with the sort of soul that AI writing lacks.
Submission Requirements
Format and Length:
- 500-1,200 words (600-800 words are ideal)
- Submit as body text in email, not as attachment
- Include relevant hyperlinks within the text
- Provide a compelling headline and 2-3 sentence summary
Author Information:
- Brief bio (50-75 words) highlighting relevant experience
- Attachment or link to professional headshot (minimum 400×400 pixels)
- Link to proposed header image (minimum 1200×800 pixels)
- Contact information
- Disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest
Content Standards:
- Original content, with disclosure if previously published elsewhere
- Fact-checked with sources provided for key claims
- Data and statistics must include credible sources
- Quotes and references properly attributed
The Review Process
We read every submission carefully, though our high volume means we cannot respond to everyone individually. Here’s what to expect:
- Initial Review: We aim to respond within 5 business days for pieces of immediate interest
- Editorial Process: Accepted pieces may require revisions to strengthen arguments or improve clarity
- Fact-Checking: We verify key claims and may request additional sources
- Final Approval: You’ll see the final version before publication
If you don’t hear from us within one week, please feel free to submit your work elsewhere.
Rights and Attribution
- You retain copyright after publication
- We may edit for length, clarity, and style
- All edits are reviewed with authors before publication
- We occasionally republish exceptional pieces on social media or partner platforms
What Makes a Submission Stand Out
Tell Us Something New: The best submissions reveal insights that aren’t widely discussed or challenge accepted narratives about African business.
Show, Don’t Just Tell: Use concrete examples, case studies, and real-world applications to illustrate your points.
Think Like Our Readers: Our audience includes founder, CEOs, investors, policy makers, and emerging business leaders. What would genuinely help them understand opportunities or challenges?
Be Timely but Timeless: While we value pieces tied to current events, the strongest submissions offer insights that remain relevant beyond the news cycle.
Bring Your Unique Voice: Whether you’re a serial entrepreneur, a diaspora investor, or a policy insider, lean into what makes your perspective distinctive.
Topics We’re Particularly Interested In
- Lessons learned from business failures and successes
- What founders/investors/policymakers get right and wrong in African markets
- Entrepreneurship as a driver of prosperity
- Technology adoption and innovation in African markets
- Investment trends and emerging opportunity spaces
How to Submit
Email your submission to submissions@afridigest.com with:
- Your article in the body of the email
- Brief cover note summarizing your piece and your qualifications
- Author bio and headshot
- Sources for key factual claims
- Subject line: “Submission: [Your Headline]”
Questions?
For submission-related questions, contact our editorial team at submissions@afridigest.com. For general inquiries about Afridigest, visit our About page or contact us at hello@afridigest.com.
We look forward to hearing from you and amplifying your voice in the ongoing conversation about modern business in Africa.