BBC has finally replaced Larry Madowo, who has moved to the United States as a correspondent. Former K24 reporter and anchor Zawadi Mudibo was on Friday 30th October 2020, named the new Business Editor for BBC Africa, ending months of jostling for the prestigious position.
Modowo resigned in August this year after his one-year sabbatical to study economics at Columbia University, in New York, and instead took up a new role as the United States (US) correspondent for the broadcaster.
In a memo, BBC Africa Programmes Editor, Newton Ndebu, said Mudibo, who has worked for KTN as well, would take up the position for the next 12 months, noting that he is “a talented and dedicated journalist” with over a decade’s experience reporting business news in Africa.
“I would also like to express my gratitude to the BBC Africa Business leadership team who, have alongside Zawadi, led the BBC Africa business teams through a protracted leadership transition,” reads the memo.
During the one-year transition period, Mudibo, Peter Wakaba, and Clare Muthengi led the Business team on rotation. The three worked on attachment at different times for two months each, in some sort of relay model expected to end in May, just in for Madowo’s return at BBC.
“I am thrilled to have been confirmed on the role of Africa Business Editor at BBC Africa,” Mudibo said. “It has been seven months already and it’s a new experience each day. My predecessor LarryMadowo set us up in good stead. it is now my intention to lead my colleagues to the next level.”
He will be in charge of business coverage on the continent for the BBC.
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BBC insiders say the rotational system has been deployed to build internal talent that can be utilized within the media house’s ecosystem. It is also seen as a safer way of managing newsroom interests and egos among journalists who see each other as equals.
Zawadi is a bilingual (English and Kiswahili) broadcast journalist who has years of experience delivering high impact multi-platform business news content for the African audience. Besides K24 and KTN, he also worked briefly as news editor and anchor at Foundation Media-owned WTV.
Recruitment for the position was competitive, with the three editors considered as well as other external candidates. The position places Mudibo in the top rank at BBC and a chance to make an impact globally.
