What was your first job as a journalist?
My first job as a journalist was covering the African Union Summit in 2016. It was an incredible opportunity to report on high-level diplomacy and regional politics from the start of my career.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Never. I grew up writing digitally. I write everything myself and have developed speed and structure through daily reporting and long form work.
How is social media changing news?
Social platforms usually break the news, and established media verifies and explains it. That dynamic has changed the entire workflow of modern journalism.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
I have not spent much time with fictional journalists. My attention is usually on real reporting in geopolitics, security, and economics, where the lessons come from practice, not stories.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
To me, being a journalist is about uncovering facts, telling stories that matter, and helping people make sense of complex events. It requires curiosity, integrity, and a commitment to accuracy.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
I have probably seen some, but I do not focus on humor. I use hashtags more as tools for tracking stories than for entertainment.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
I prefer pitches that are concise, well-researched, and clearly explain the story angle. Email is usually best, with the key points upfront and any relevant sources or context included.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
I use writing software, Adobe and Canva for images.
What's your favorite social network?
LinkedIn and Facebook. One for professional context, the other for real time community voices and story leads.
Who do you wish followed you?
I would like to be followed by journalists, analysts, and practitioners working in politics, security, business, international relations, and diplomatic affairs within my reporting beat.
Why did you become a journalist?
I became a journalist out of a love for writing and a desire to share information. For me, the joy comes from informing and connecting with people, not from money or material benefits.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
We didn’t have a school newspaper, but I was the head of the mini-media club and a news caster. Together with a team of 10–15 students, we produced news content and learned the basics of journalism.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
I’m most proud of my reporting on geopolitics in the Horn of Africa, which helped clarify complex regional security and diplomatic issues for readers.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
My advice to aspiring journalists is to focus on skills beyond grades and classroom theory. Be curious, read widely, and study how strong stories are written and produced. Pay attention to the style, structure, and intent of published and broadcast work from leading outlets, and practice applying those lessons in your own reporting.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Monday to Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
I can’t remember one specific pitch, but I value clear, concise, and well-researched story ideas.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
I don't remember.
What's your favorite drink?
Water.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
When I step away from a screen, I am often reading, in transit between projects, or enjoying time with my kids. It keeps me grounded and curious at the same time.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
SEMAFOR, FP, The Africa Report
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
People often think politics and geopolitics are straightforward, but they’re actually shaped by complex, behind-the-scenes dynamics.
