By Khalifa Hemed
Published September 10, 2021
African Development Bank has appointed Solomom Omolo Mugera, a Kenyan national, Director of its Communication and External Relations department with effect from October 1, 2021.
Mugera, a seasoned journalist and media manager with more than 20 years of expertise working internationally, is expected to contribute to building financial and political support for the African Development Bank Group and strengthen its role as a global thought leader on Africa’s most pressing development challenges.
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“It is an honour to work for the African Development Bank Group and support its vision for the continent,” says Mugera who shall be charged with managing corporate communications and external relations with mass media, civil society, private sector, African countries, and international organizations. “This is an institution that is leading Africa’s effort to transform itself and make a real difference to the lives of millions of its people. The Bank has the talent, the expertise, knowledge and the story that needs to be told across Africa and to a global audience.”
Mugera, who is said to have ‘extensive experience in leading multimedia operations, and an excellent track record of editorial leadership, communication, budget management, and stakeholder outreach’ coupled with ‘good knowledge in change management and media training’ and ‘a clear understanding of international news and current affairs, the African media market, and the impact of digital technology’, will also be responsible for internal communication and engagement with Bank Group staff besides leading the Bank Group’s messaging and global strategic media relations.
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“The African Development Bank Group is at the heart of the continent’s social economic development. Mr. Mugera will support the Bank Group’s vision and outreach effort to make the priorities, activities and accomplishments of the Bank known by both internal and external audiences. He is a highly respected and motivated media professional, with a solid track record in journalism and leadership,” says Akinwumi A Adesina, President of African Development Bank.
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Mugera, who began his career at Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) and Kenya Television Network (KTN), joined British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in September 1998. He was appointed Editor of the Kiswahili Service of BBC in 2006 before becoming the first African to head the African region of the BBC World Service five years later. In September 2015, Mugera was promoted to the position of Senior Leader.
As Head of Journalism for BBC Africa, Mugera is credited with presiding over the largest expansion of BBC on the African continent since the 1940s, supporting the corporation in reaching a weekly audience of more than 100 million across 12 languages on radio, television, digital and social media. With an annual budget of US$42 million, Mugera is reported to have managed a team of 600 staff in Britain and across Africa.
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