Studio Kalangou is a daily radio programme in Niger launched in 2016. It offers daily news bulletins in 5 languages (French, Hausa, Zarma, Tamasheq and Fula) as well as cultural, debate and current affairs programmes.
In 2025, 12 journalists host these programmes, supported by a network of around thirty correspondents in the country’s 8 regions. Studio Kalangou’s broadcast network includes 30 private and community partner radio stations that enable it reach 60% of Niger’s population. The studio provides its partners with financial support and journalistic, technical and managerial skills training.
Key Figures 2024
980 hours of broadcasting
172 media professionals trained
3.4 millions million weekly listeners
169,500 social media followers
Financial Volume 2024
1,693,175 CHF
Sources of Funding
• Switzerland (SDC Mandate)
• United Kingdom (FCDO – ISF)
• Switzerland (SDC Core Contribution)
• IFPIM – International Fund for Public Interest Media
• Belgium (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
• Germany (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
• Czech Republic (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
• Fondation du Domaine de Villette, France & Thierry Lombard
• République Tchèque (MoFA)
• Fondation Villette
MAINTAINING INDEPENDENT AND ACCESSIBLE INFORMATION IN A FRAGILE DEMOCRATIC ENVIRONMENT
The 3 Sahel countries now grouped in the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) face common security, humanitarian, energy and environmental challenges. In Niger, we have observed the shrinking of spaces for expression and of freedoms and civil rights, which is a worrying development for civil society actors and defenders of human rights. Increased pressure on the media (as highlighted by the call of 500 community radio stations in the Sahel for the protection of local journalism) is having a negative impact on the quality of news production, while rumours and mis- and dis-information proliferate.
Studio Kalangou has adapted to this political climate and to the significant economic issues that impact media in the Sahel by reshaping its programming.
Studio Kalangou’s forums on improved seeds, soils and growing techniques made me want to try my hand at farming. And things are going very well.
Issoufou Chaibou, farmer
With a focus on our core activities, we aimed to establish programming that is relevant to audiences. The new, shorter programme (1 hour per day) consists of a combined offer based on the model of solutions journalism, including debates, regional updates and audio documentaries. As linguistic diversity is the key to reaching a maximum number of listeners, production has been maintained in the 5 languages. The aim of this core programme is to create a more agile media, easier to fund and to sustain, while continuing to provide effective and high-quality service in the Nigerien media landscape. We are also focusing on diversifying
funding sources and obtaining contributions from multiple donors in order to reduce the financial challenges we face.
Studio Kalangou is continuing to roll out its digital strategy to strengthen its presence among specific target populations such as young people and urban residents. This strategy is based on the development of innovative formats designed for direct broadcast, accessible via mobile phone with low data consumption for users.
