After my first article about the emergence of Africa Radio International (ARI), and after they made their debut on October 10, 2025, I’ve been inundated with questions on how to tune in to the station. Many nostalgic listeners—especially those who grew up with the familiar jingle of the Voice of America (VOA) Hausa Service—have been scanning their shortwave frequencies, hoping to catch the new voice of Africa.
But ARI doesn’t transmit through shortwave. Unlike VOA, which for decades relied on shortwave frequencies to reach listeners across Africa, ARI operates on a satellite and digital broadcast model. This means it delivers its content to partner FM radio stations in several African countries while also streaming globally through the internet and mobile platforms.
In Nigeria, however, listeners can’t find ARI on local FM frequencies because the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) prohibits direct rebroadcasting by foreign media organisations unless they obtain local licences or partnerships. So, while ARI can be heard on FM radio in countries like Ghana, Kenya, and Senegal, Nigerian audiences can only access it online.
Fortunately, tuning in is quite simple. ARI likely broadcasts via its official website (www.africaradioint.com) and mobile apps for Android and iOS. Listeners may also stream it on TuneIn, Radio Garden, and YouTube Live, making it easily accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.
Now, for those who may not have followed the full story, ARI was born from the ashes of a global media shake-up. When President Donald Trump, now serving his second non-consecutive term, ordered the closure of Voice of America (VOA) earlier this year under his administration’s “America First” media restructuring policy, the move abruptly ended decades of U.S. international broadcasting. Over 1,300 employees across Africa—including respected journalists, producers, and technical staff—lost their jobs overnight.
But rather than allowing their voices to be silenced, these seasoned broadcasters took destiny into their own hands. They came together, pooled their expertise and resources, and founded Africa Radio International (ARI)—a truly pan-African, independent media platform dedicated to amplifying African stories and perspectives. Their mission is simple yet powerful: to ensure that African voices never fade again.
The rise of ARI should serve as a wake-up call to the pioneer and retired staff of the Katsina State Radio and Television Services (KTRTV). For decades, KTRTV was the pride of Northern Nigerian broadcasting—home to some of the most respected voices and producers who shaped public opinion and trained generations of journalists. Many of those veterans have since retired, but their collective experience, creativity, and professionalism remain priceless assets waiting to be reignited.
Today, launching an online radio station, podcast network, or digital newspaper is no longer an expensive or complicated venture. With a modest studio setup, basic recording tools, and an internet connection, a team of skilled broadcasters can build a platform capable of reaching audiences far beyond Katsina or even Nigeria.
Even more encouraging is the support available locally. The Katsina State Government, under the leadership of Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has demonstrated its commitment to entrepreneurship and innovation through the creation of the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA). The agency’s mandate includes supporting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with access to funding, training, and business advisory services—resources that could be instrumental in helping a group of former broadcasters establish a sustainable, independent media venture.
Beyond the business potential, this initiative could restore professional and developmental journalism in an era where inexperienced citizen journalists dominate online spaces with sensational and often misleading content. By embracing developmental journalism, retired KTRTV professionals can help promote civic education, national cohesion, and informed public discourse—values that were once the hallmark of Katsina broadcasting.
The story of Africa Radio International is a shining example of resilience and innovation. It proves that experience never expires—and that those who once informed the world can reinvent themselves to do it again, even better.
It’s time for Katsina’s broadcasting veterans to rise again.
Let this be the beginning of a new movement—a Katsina Media Revival Initiative—where former and retired KTRTV staff can come together to establish an online radio and digital newspaper, driven by integrity, experience, and service to society. The microphones may have been turned off in the studios of old, but the voices behind them are still needed—perhaps now more than ever.
The future of journalism is digital. The tools are ready. The moment is now.
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