From sports desk to nature’s frontlines: David Akana’s unlikely path to lead Mongabay Africa
In an era when biodiversity, climate, and development challenges are mounting across Africa, Akana is helping shape a model of journalism rooted in rigor, inclusion, and long-term impact. As the head of Mongabay Africa, he oversees editorial strategy, partnerships, fundraising, and newsroom operations. But his role is also deeply personal, informed by a career spanning sports reporting, international development communications, and frontline environmental journalism.
Akana’s path into the field began over two decades ago in Cameroon. A former sports journalist with a deep love of football, he changed course in 2002, joining IUCN in Central Africa. At the time, the decision was pragmatic—financial stability & editorial opportunity—but it marked a turning point.
“Once I was out in the field,” he says, “I realized how high the stakes truly were.”
For Akana, journalism isn’t just about facts—it’s about helping people make sense of the systems shaping their lives, particularly where power is concentrated & rights are tenuous. In such contexts, he argues, journalism can still amplify marginalized voices, expose wrongdoing, and inform communities.
At Mongabay Africa, Akana brings a deep understanding of the continent’s diversity & its overlooked environmental narratives. Since taking the helm, he’s built a 17-person team, launched multilingual editorial programs, and expanded reporting from the Congo Basin to coastal West Africa & the Horn. He’s especially focused on the future: launching a Swahili-language edition & laying groundwork for coverage in other languages.
“Reporting in local languages,” he says, “is how Mongabay can succeed in Africa over the long term.”
He’s also realistic about the challenges. In today’s fragmented information landscape, where greenwashing and disinformation thrive, environmental journalism doesn’t create instant impact. But Akana believes credibility & consistency still matter.
“Impact and influence take time,” he says. “But when done well, journalism can shape policies, empower communities, and change narratives.”
That belief is evident in Mongabay’s recent work—from investigating extractive industries in the Democratic Republic of Congo to reporting on REDD+ schemes & land-use conflicts. In some cases, this coverage has led to corporate accountability, influenced investment decisions, and brought community voices to global forums.
What distinguishes Akana’s leadership is his focus on mentorship & team-building grounded in Africa’s diversity. He doesn’t see himself as exceptional—just someone who stayed curious, kept learning, and was willing to make mistakes.
“Any journalist,” he says, “can become an environmental journalist if they have the commitment.”
With biodiversity & climate defining Africa’s future, Akana sees Mongabay as playing a vital, steady role in equipping citizens to navigate and shape these changes.
