Content Submission Guidelines

1. Understanding the Audience

Africa.com serves a sophisticated and diverse audience that is highly educated and professionally well-established. This section outlines the key characteristics of our readers to help guide content creation and engagement strategies.

Educational and Professional Background

• Highly Educated: A significant 87% of our audience holds college degrees, and 26% possess post-graduate qualifications from prestigious institutions worldwide. Notable alma maters include Harvard University, University of Oxford, University of Lagos, University of Nairobi, Yale, and the University of Cape Town, among others.
• Professional Status: Over half (57%) of our readers occupy top positions such as C-suite executives, directors, or senior management roles. An additional 22% are professionals in fields like law, accounting, and consultancy, indicating a readership with substantial influence and decision-making capabilities.
  
  

Industry Representation

• Sector Engagement: The majority (61%) of our audience works in the private sector, with significant representation in finance, telecoms, technology, healthcare, energy, agriculture, and real estate. About 23% are employed in the public sector, contributing to a broad understanding of both corporate and governmental perspectives.
  
  

Community Involvement and Demographics

• Community Commitment: Our readers are highly engaged in their communities, being 2.4 times more likely to vote and 2.1 times more likely to volunteer compared to the general population. This highlights a strong sense of civic responsibility and a commitment to societal development.
• Gender and Age: The demographic split is fairly even with 53% male and 47% female readers. The majority (71%) are aged between 35 and 54, with an average age of 43, positioning them at a mature stage of their careers and lives.
• Global Mobility: A significant 68% of our audience is expected to travel internationally this year, reflecting a global outlook and a connectivity that transcends local and regional boundaries.
  
  

2. Content Guidelines

• Accuracy: Ensure all information is verified through reliable sources. Fact-checking is crucial to maintain credibility.
• Relevance: Content should be timely and have a clear connection to the readers’ interests and current affairs in Africa.
• Diversity: Reflect the continent’s diverse cultures, languages, and perspectives. Include stories from underrepresented communities and viewpoints.
  
  

3. Tone and Style

• Respectful and Positive: Maintain a tone that respects all cultures and countries, focusing on positive storytelling while not shying away from critical issues.
• Clear and Concise: Use language that is easy to understand, avoiding jargon and overly complex sentences, making content accessible to a broad audience.
• Engaging: Write in an engaging, lively style that captures the readers’ interest and encourages further reading and interaction.
  
  

4. Ethical Reporting

• Impartiality: Strive for balanced reporting, presenting all sides of a story without bias.
• Sensitivity: Be particularly sensitive when reporting on contentious or traumatic issues. Consider the impact of coverage on the communities involved.
• Privacy: Respect privacy and confidentiality, especially concerning vulnerable subjects or sources.
  
  

5. Visual and Multimedia Elements

• Inclusive Imagery: Use images that accurately represent the subject matter and the diversity of the African continent.
• Multimedia: Incorporate videos, infographics, and audio that enhance the storytelling and engage users across different platforms.
  
  

6. Language and Localization

• Language: US English will ensure consistency and align well with international readers and professionals who may be used to US English as a standard in global business and academic environments.
• Local Nuances: Adapt the content to reflect local idioms, expressions, and cultural references that resonate with specific communities when necessary to tell the story.
  
  

7. Legal Compliance

• Copyright: Cite sources appropriately and obtain necessary permissions for any reproduced material.