2026 Webby Honoree Afrobeats Intelligence Inducted into PodFest Naija Hall of Fame
Award-winning Nigerian music journalist Joey Akan, creator and host of Afrobeats Intelligence, has been inducted into the PodFest Naija Hall of Fame 2026, recognizing his contribution to storytelling and the creative ecosystem through one of African music journalism’s most distinctive multimedia platforms.
The PodFest Hall of Fame was established to honor individuals whose work, voice, influence, and contributions have made a meaningful impact on the storytelling ecosystem, including creators who have helped make space for others to tell their stories. PodFest Naija will formally recognize Akan and Afrobeats Intelligence on Friday, September 25, 2026, at Harbour Point in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Created and hosted by Akan, Afrobeats Intelligence explores the intersection of African music, culture, history, creativity, and global influence. The series extends Akan’s journalism beyond the headline and the hit record, using deeply researched, long-form conversations to document the artists, producers, executives, and cultural thinkers shaping African music and the histories and ideas behind their work.
In its fifth season, Afrobeats Intelligence debuted at #1 on Apple Podcasts’ Music chart in Nigeria and #8 in the United States. In 2026, Afrobeats Intelligence was also named a Webby Honoree.
The Hall of Fame recognition arrives as African music continues to command international attention. Akan’s work focuses not simply on documenting that success, but on preserving the context behind it: tracing the people, communities, histories, and creative ecosystems that allow African sounds to travel across borders without separating the music from the cultures that created it.
PodFest Naija describes itself as a first-of-its-kind creative convergence connecting storytellers, podcasters, creators, brands, industry leaders, and policymakers. Its inaugural 2025 festival convened more than 1,200 participants, and the 2026 edition continues its focus on creativity, collaboration, innovation, and learning.
Listen
This is a press release which we link to from Podnews, our daily newsletter about podcasting and on-demand. We may make small edits for editorial reasons.