SAVE Pambazuko! Protect African journalism

We are fundraising to save Pambazuko, the pioneering free Swahili-language news platform that is read by over 300,000 people a week and has become one of the most important sources of independent news in Africa. Pambazuko exposes corruption, challenges human rights abuses and ampligies the voices of the marginalised - but because desperately needs $20,000 to be able to keep going.

Unless this money is raised, Pambazuko will have to close down, silencing an inspirational voice just when it is needed most - Tanzania goes to the polls on October 29, and it is truly important that this election is covered by journalists who truly understand the context in which it is taking place.

So act now, and donate to empower African journalism - and keep it free for those who need it across East Africa and the world.

This money will both enable Pambazuko to operate through the election period, to secure a longer-term financial solution, and to produce English versions of its Swahili content in order to reach an even wider audience.

More about Pambazuko Digital Newspaper

Pambazuko Digital Newspaper is a pioneering free Swahili-language news platform redefining journalism in Africa. Distributed primarily through WhatsApp, Signal and Email, it reaches citizens directly where they are, bypassing traditional barriers to information access. With current over 40,100 organic subscribers and an audience of over 300,000 weekly readers, Pambazuko has become one of the most trusted voices for accountability and citizen empowerment in the region.

Why Pambazuko Matters

Across Africa, millions—especially the marginalized—remain excluded from credible information. Mainstream media often overlooks the realities of underprivileged communities unless tragedy strikes. Pambazuko closes this gap by:

•⁠ ⁠Empowering Citizens with knowledge of their rights.

•⁠ ⁠Strengthening Accountability by investigating corruption and abuse of power.

•⁠ ⁠Amplifying Voices of the Marginalized, ensuring no community is “too unimportant” to be heard.

•⁠ ⁠Championing Sustainability by being fully digital, saving thousands of trees each year.

Impact So Far

Since its founding four years ago—three of which were sustained almost single-handedly by its founder and editor-in chief, Simon Mkina residing in Tanzania—Pambazuko has achieved tangible impact:

•⁠ ⁠Investigative reporting has exposed corruption, leading to removal or transfer of implicated officials.

•⁠ ⁠Coverage has rescued abducted citizens and raised awareness on human rights violations.

•⁠ ⁠Our trusted reporting has made Pambazuko a go-to source for accurate, people-centered news across East Africa and its diaspora (with the U.S., UK and South Korea leading readership).

Our Vision

Pambazuko envisions accurate information as basic human right and informed citizens as a vehicle to actively shape accountable governance. By combining innovation, investigative depth, and community reach, Pambazuko is catalyzing a new dawn (translated in Swahili as pambazuko) of journalism that empowers societies to work together for equity, justice, and poverty reduction.

Why supporting Us is worth it

Pambazuko which is entirely depends on well-wishers to pursue and accomplish its main mission, we are happy to receive supports so that we continue to offer great opportunities to the community.

These are some of them;

•⁠ ⁠Free Access to Information for all citizens.

•⁠ ⁠Media Innovation using low-cost, high-reach digital platforms.

•⁠ ⁠Sustainable Change, with measurable outcomes in governance, accountability, and citizen empowerment.

•⁠ ⁠Scalable Impact across Africa and beyond.

By supporting Pambazuko, you are directly contribute to building an informed, engaged, and empowered citizenry—the foundation of democratic development.

Pambazuko: A Sunrise for Independent Journalism in Africa.

About this fundraiser

This GoFundMe was set up by Nic Cheeseman, the Professor of Democracy at the University of Birmingham and the founder of www.democracyinafrica.org simply because he had the time to do it, believes in African journalism, and GoFundMe does not allow funds to be withdrawn in Tanzania. The fundraiser therefore needed a bank account outside of Africa in order to be created - which is clearly something GoFundMe could work on for the future. All funds will be received by Nic, and then transferred immediately to the Pambazuko bank account.