Radio 47 has once again been spotlighted on the international stage; this time through a detailed feature in the September/October 2025 issue of REDTECH Magazine, a premier publication in broadcast engineering and media technology.
The article highlights the station’s groundbreaking studio upgrades in Nairobi, showcasing its transition to a fully IP-based infrastructure that is setting new standards for African broadcasters. The REDTECH piece, focuses on Radio 47’s collaboration with Rwanda-based systems integrator Mediacity Ads Ltd. to build an all-IP setup from the ground up.
Utilizing AES67 and Ravenna protocols, the system integrates Lawo consoles, Telos Omnia processors, WinMedia automation, and Genelec’s Smart IP loudspeakers powered via Power over Ethernet (PoE). This allows for remote recalibration, real-time monitoring, reduced downtime, lower energy use, and simplified maintenance, eliminating bulky cabling and complex analog setups.
In the article Fred Martin Kiwalabye, director of Mediacity Ads, emphasized the station’s forward-thinking approach: they sought a future-ready, IP-centric operation that compensates for acoustic variations across studios, delivers consistent high-fidelity sound, and empowers presenters and producers to move seamlessly between spaces without relearning audio profiles. The result is more agile workflows, reclaimed space in control rooms, and a focus on creative content over technical constraints.
REDTECH positions this as part of a wider trend in Africa, where broadcasters are leapfrogging legacy systems to embrace cost-effective, scalable IP-native solutions that support unified audio, video, and online production.
Complementing this technical acclaim, Radio 47 earned significant recognition in 2025. It was celebrated as Africa’s first fully IP-based, automated hybrid broadcast facility, a milestone that put Kenya at the forefront of global media innovation.
At the Starbrands East Africa 2025 Awards in September, the station won the Excellence in Innovative Broadcasting award, with sister station TV47 also honored as the Top Emerging and Vibrant TV Station in Kenya.
Audience metrics further highlight the station’s impact. Multiple IPSOS Kenya Audience Tracker reports throughout 2025 showed Radio 47 consistently ranking among the top stations nationally. In Q1 2025, it captured a 7.5% market share to claim second place overall.
Later quarters, including Q2 and Q4, reinforced its position as Kenya’s second most popular radio station, with strong growth in Swahili-language listenership and market share gains that marked it as one of the fastest-rising broadcasters in the country.
These achievements technical leadership featured in REDTECH, pioneering IP status, prestigious awards, and top-tier audience rankings, highlight Radio 47’s role as a dynamic force redefining broadcasting in Africa.
By blending cutting-edge technology with engaging content, the station continues to deliver impact, inspiring others to build smarter and more sustainably.
