Welcome CNBC Africa!

Mon, 28 May 2007

The fledgling democracy at the southern tip of the African continent is about to take another step towards going global. On 1 June 2007, CNBC Africa, the first 24-hour, live international business channel in sub-Saharan Africa, will begin broadcasting from Johannesburg, South Africa.

Owned and operated by Africa Business News under a licensing and affiliation agreement with CNBC, the channel will focus on business, economics and markets news across sub-Saharan Africa. “We will also feature live crossings from CNBC Europe, the US, the Middle East, Dubai, India, Pakistan and other CNBC affiliates across the world,” says Trevor Ormerod, Chief Operating Officer of CNBC Africa. “We will broadcast local content from our studio in Johannesburg, and will take feeds from our bureaux in Lagos, Abuja, Nairobi and Cape Town.”

Ormerod adds that further bureaux in Africa will be established on a roll-out basis. “We will broadcast 24/7, with nine hours of local programming, cutting across to our international affiliates at key times throughout the day for market updates and breaking news,” he explains. “Regional programming will include in-depth analyses of regional and major international stock exchanges and currency markets, regular business and political updates, interactive talk shows that encourage debate and lifestyle programming tailored for our audience.”

The CNBC Africa signal will be accessible to all DStv subscribers on Channel 54, as well as free-to-air across South Africa and the rest of sub-Saharan Africa on the Sentech Vivid platform.

“The launch of this channel is a milestone for the region – it will be the first dedicated 24-hour business channel across the continent delivering real-time news, analysis, commentary and programming,” says Peter Ndoro, Head of Communications for the channel. “We will be filling a critical need for this type of information – we will bring the African business story to Africa in a way that has never been done before.”

Ndoro says that for the first time, South African viewers will be able to watch the markets open and close across the world, live, and have access to current information and analysis throughout the day. “Also for the first time, viewers across the continent will be able to track key African markets such as South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya,” he adds.

A host of top local talent is lined up in the way of news and business anchors and presenters, including Leigh Roberts, Lerato Mbele, Nikiwe Bikitsha, Bronwyn Nielsen, Peter Ndoro, Mandlakazi Mpahlwa and Alisha Naidoo. Debbie Sharwood is Bureau Chief in Cape Town, and with Richard Crompton her counterpart in Nairobi.

CNBC internationally has established itself as being first in business worldwide, and CNBC Africa is about just that – being first on the continent in delivering essential business and financial market news, 24 hours a day. “In addition to world class business programming, CNBC Africa will also feature a range of programmes each day to add to the viewing experience,” says Ndoro. “We have current affairs news updates regularly throughout the day. Magazine and lifestyle programmes enhance our offering, as well as in-depth shows that focus on pertinent issues such as the politics driving our economies, mining, entrepreneurs, personal finance and trends.”

Being affiliated with CNBC worldwide means that CNBC Africa has access to the most recognised and respected global business brand, with all of its news, business and financial information. “Our on-the-ground resources across the region will be supported by our own correspondents in London and New York, as well as our relationship with CNBC,” says Zafar Siddiqi, Chairman of CNBC Africa. “The global CNBC network reaches 200 million households across the world. These are resources that we will be able to deliver to our African viewers. They will receive a truly global view of each business day as it unfolds.”

Speaking at the press conference announcing the launch of the channel, Siddiqi said that the channel’s aim is to provide a platform for the ongoing inter-African discussion on globalisation, employment, career, business and investment opportunities, living standards, infrastructure development and other relevant issues. “This is the first channel of its kind that caters to the information needs of the average viewer, as well as to business and investment communities, by providing meaningful analysis behind the headlines, relating to how current events can impact our lives,” he says.

Starting in June, sub-Saharan Africa, and South Africa as host to this groundbreaking channel, will see the advent of the continent’s venture into the global world of business news and financial information. It is an event that the African community, and the international community at large, has been waiting for with excited expectation. The hour is near, and CNBC Africa is up for the challenge.