POD: From Meta to Independent Media—Fatu Ogwuche on personality-driven journalism and creative storytelling

Episode overview:

In this conversation, Fatu Ogwuche shares insights into her transition from working for Nigeria's Electoral Commission and Meta to launching her own media platform, Big Tech This Week. She discusses her entrepreneurial spirit, creative approach to storytelling, and the unique position independent creators hold in today's media landscape.

Andile Masuku describes Ogwuche as "low-key the industry's head of intelligence" - a title earned through her knack for asking the right questions, journalistic research methods, and ability to get people comfortable enough to share meaningful insights about the African tech ecosystem.

OP-ED: If Weekend Go Sweet—Fatu Ogwuche’s reading of African Tech’s 2024 ‘Wednesday’ signals

Through the lens of a street-smart Nigerian saying, Big Tech This Week founder Fatu Ogwuche unpacks a year of tense realities in African tech and why 2024’s closing signals are fueling high hopes for 2025.

African Tech RoundupAndile Masuku

Key topics:

• Transitioning from corporate roles to independent media ownership
• The power of personality-driven content creation
• Building authentic connections with interview subjects
• Research as a foundation for compelling storytelling
• The growth and evolution of Africa's tech media landscape
• The balance between reporting ecosystem challenges and celebrating wins

Notable points:

1. Ogwuche started Big Tech This Week as a hobby while working at Meta during the pandemic, seeking creative expression outside her corporate role
2. Her experience representing Nigeria's Electoral Commission on television at age 24-25 shaped her understanding of effective communication
3. The African tech and media ecosystems are both relatively young—many major startups and publications are only 10-16 years old
4. Independent creators are increasingly collaborating across borders to tell stories in fresh, compelling ways
5. Thorough research and genuine curiosity are central to Fatu's interview approach, allowing for deeper conversations with tech leaders

Projects mentioned:

• The Crossover Show 2024 [Click here to watch] - Ogwuche's year-end review featuring conversations with ecosystem leaders about significant trends and looking ahead to 2025
• "If Weekend Go Sweet" [Click here to read] - An op-ed collaboration between Ogwuche and Masuku examining African tech's 2024 "Wednesday signals"
• Backstories with Fatu [Click here to watch] - Ogwuche's interview series featuring tech entrepreneurs who don't typically do many interviews

Fatu approaches her work with an authenticity that makes interview subjects comfortable sharing insights they might not reveal elsewhere. As both she and Andile note, what sets her apart is her combination of strategic intelligence, legal background, natural curiosity, and creative spark—along with a commitment to presenting information in ways that engage and inform.

As the African tech ecosystem continues to develop alongside its media landscape, voices like Fatu's provide not just reporting but vital context and nuance, helping audiences understand both challenges and opportunities in a balanced way.

Connect and engage:

• African Tech Roundup: LinkedIn and X
• Andile Masuku: LinkedIn, X and Email
• Fatu Ogwuche: Linkedin and X
• Big Tech This Week: YouTube, Instagram and X