Afrocritik is a digital media platform dedicated to African arts and pop culture, founded in June 2021 by Nigerian lawyers Samson Jikeme and Owanate Max‑Harry. Operating between Lagos and Los Angeles, it publishes criticism, features, interviews and opinion across music, film, literature, fashion and the wider cultural economy, serving readers in Africa and the diaspora. Its editorial stance is to tell African stories through an African perspective, pairing cultural enthusiasm with rigorous critique. The outlet is known for ambitious year‑end projects that map the continent’s output. In 2024 it expanded its Top African Albums list from 25 to 50 titles and its Top African Songs from 50 to 100, with ranking criteria that emphasize sonic quality, creativity, thematic depth, production, cultural relevance and songwriting. Alongside music, Afrocritik’s literature lists, such as notable essays and short‑story roundups, function as reference points for readers and researchers. To cultivate new critical voices, Afrocritik launched the Afrocritik Prize for Criticism in 2024, a youth competition for Africans aged 17–24 with cash awards and publication for finalists; Evidence Egwuono Adjarho won the inaugural edition. The platform appointed music and pop‑culture journalist Emmanuel “Waziri” Okoro as managing editor in December 2024. Across coverage and initiatives, Afrocritik positions contemporary African creativity within global conversations while foregrounding local contexts and talent.

Source: Code for Africa

Last updated date: July 2026

Location:
Lagos, Nigeria; Los Angeles, USA, Nigeria
Year the organization started publishing:
2021
Languages:
English
Type of coverage:
International
Countries of coverage:
Ghana
Kenya
South Africa

Content

Editorial coverage:
Generalist, focused on multiple topics
Type of content produced by theme:
Sports
Lifestyle
Entertainment and culture
Society and human rights
Journalism genres:
Reviews
Essays
Interviews and reporting
Opinion
Journalism coverage types and techniques:
Explanatory journalism
Curated/aggregated content
Tech platforms and other mediums used:
Website
Social media platforms
Podcast
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
Tiktok
LinkedIn

Audience and reach

Social media audience

Facebook number of followers:
30,000
Twitter number of followers:
5,361
Instagram number of followers:
12,736
YouTube number of followers:
43
Tiktok number of followers:
10,100

Management and team

Founders

Female:
0
Male:
2
Founders:
Samson Jikeme, Owanate Max‑Harry
Directors:
Samson Jikeme, Owanate Max-Harry, Emmanuel Okoro, Vivian Nwajiaku, Chika Chiemezie, Belvic O

Team

Full-time employees:
7
Part-time employees:
5
Freelancers or consultants:
4
Volunteers:
0

Business structure and revenue sources

Organization tax status:
Hybrid model (more than one nonprofit or for-profit)

Why is this profile included?

This media outlet is part of our directory because it meets SembraMedia’s inclusion criteria: it produces original content, serves the public interest, and works with independence and transparency. This profile was developed using information provided directly by the media outlet, through surveys or interviews. We aim to keep the information current, but SembraMedia does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness, and recommends verifying any key details with the media organization.

In SembraMedia we use own and third party cookies for analytical purposes that allow us to track, monitor and analyze your browsing and behavior to make improvements to the product based on the analysis made, as well as own technical cookies that allow the proper functioning of the website. You can accept all cookies by clicking the "Accept" button or configure or reject their use by clicking "Reject". More information in the Privacy and Cookies Policy.