Zambia’s podcasting industry has taken centre stage, with creators reporting growing youth engagement and a shift toward authentic and relatable content.
Speaking in an interview with Lusaka Star, Lusaka-based podcast host and content creator Duncan Lebeni, popularly known as Ba Repair, highlighted both the challenges and opportunities shaping the country’s growing podcast industry.
Lebeni, who runs the Komboni Podcast, said one of the biggest hurdles has been convincing people to participate in interviews, especially in a space that is still relatively new in Zambia.
“Inviting people to be interviewed is the hardest thing. Here in Zambia, people are not used to such shows that’s why they even want us to send them questions before they come,” he said.
However, Lebeni noted that attitudes are gradually changing as more people become familiar with podcasting.
“We are inviting people who are known, as well as creating our own celebrities,” he said.
“We give a chance to up-and-coming individuals, and we manage to interview them and still pull numbers.”
He explained that even lesser-known guests are attracting audiences, reflecting a shift in how content is consumed, particularly among young people.
Lebeni emphasized that creativity remains at the core of podcasting, noting that audiences are increasingly drawn to fresh and original content.
He added that his approach breaks away from conventional production norms, allowing for flexibility in both location and guest selection.
“We don’t choose where to conduct the interview from or whom to interview,” he said.
Meanwhile, Gerald Mambwe, who runs a youth-focused podcast, said audiences are increasingly drawn to authenticity rather than highly polished productions.
“Audiences care about real conversations—they prefer authentic and relatable discussions over polished content,” Mambwe said.
He noted that podcasting has transformed storytelling by allowing deeper and more impactful conversations.
“The conversations are longer and carry deeper messages that can inspire people,” he said.
Mambwe also cautioned against over-reliance on celebrity guests, emphasizing that genuine and engaging discussions are what truly build influence and retain listeners.