Radio 47 Launches Africa's First Fully IP-Based Broadcast Facility

In a pioneering move for African broadcasting, Radio 47, part of Cape Media Ltd., has unveiled Africa's first fully IP-based, automated hybrid broadcast facility. Located in Nairobi, Kenya's capital and a rising technology hub of East Africa, the installation represents a new benchmark in the modernisation of media infrastructure on the continent.

The project was planned and executed by Kigali-based Mediacity Ads Ltd., a specialist in IP broadcast systems and Lawo's regional partner.

The new facility seamlessly integrates radio, television, live streaming, and remote production into a unified, flexible system, using best-in-class broadcast technology from manufacturers including Lawo (Germany), MultiCam Systems (France), AVT Audio Video Technologies (Germany), Voceware, Cleanfeed, Genelec, Telos Alliance, PTZ Optics, OptiSign, and others.

Central to the installation is a fully IP-native broadcast infrastructure built on Lawo's crystal broadcast consoles, Power Core DSP engine, and RAVENNA/AES67-based audio-over-IP networking. The integrated Lawo VisTool GUI software provides customisable touchscreen interfaces for control and visualisation of sources, meters, and routing, helping operators stay focused and efficient even in complex, multi-platform productions. The new workflow allows for full remote control and monitoring of all broadcast operations, simplifying day-to-day production and enabling greater flexibility for remote and hybrid teams.

Each of the three new on-air studios at Radio 47 features a Lawo crystal console, chosen for its compact form factor, intuitive operation, and seamless integration with IP workflows. The consoles are networked to a centralised Lawo Power Core, a high-density, modular IP I/O and mixing engine capable of managing extensive audio routing, DSP processing, and multiple studio operations from a single location.
The Power Core is equipped with modular I/O cards that handle analog, AES3, Dante®, and MADI formats, ensuring compatibility with both legacy and next-generation equipment. This flexibility was key in allowing Cape Media to future-proof its investment while still accommodating external sources and OB workflows. The system’s modular design also allows for easy expansion and remote integration, whether for regional studio feeds, mobile devices, or external contributors.

All studios, edit rooms, and control points are connected via an AES67-compliant IP backbone, with full support for RAVENNA networking. This standards-based infrastructure enables real-time, lossless audio transmission and complete operational freedom — any feed, phone call, or stream can be routed anywhere in the facility instantly, without the need for physical re-patching or manual configuration.

"We wanted more than another radio station. We wanted to build the future of African media—an infrastructure that removes traditional barriers, empowers creativity in the young generation, and embraces tomorrow’s technology today," said Simon Gisharu, Chairman, Cape Media Ltd.

"This wasn't just an upgrade," said Fred Martin Kiwalabye, Project Manager and Head Technical Engineer at Mediacity Ads Ltd. "It was a reinvention of how media can work—cleaner, smarter, faster, and future-proof. Powered by Lawo and supported by visionary leadership, we've redefined the possibilities."

The combination of Lawo's open standards, low-latency architecture, and unmatched reliability has proven particularly valuable in the Kenyan market, where agility, consistency, and operational uptime are key to maintaining competitive edge in fast-growing media environments.

"This project proves that world-class broadcast infrastructure doesn’t have to come from outside Africa," said Jesse K. Maxella, CEO, Mediacity Ads Ltd. and Lawo representative for Rwanda and Africa. "It can be designed, delivered, and supported locally with global standards in mind."

"Today's radio is visual, interactive, and dynamic," said Geoffrey Mungou, Head of Radio at Cape Media Ltd. "The consistency in output has elevated how our brand is perceived, not just on air, but across all platforms. We can now confidently plan big ideas, collaborate with partners, and experiment with new formats without worrying about technical limitations."

"This system has revolutionised our workflow," added Irene Wanjiku, Head of Production at Cape Media Ltd. "What once took multiple teams, complex routing, and manual effort is now seamless and intuitive. From OB feeds to livestream guests, we control everything from one dashboard."

The new facility is already enabling Cape Media to expand its editorial and creative offerings. Whether it's producing multilingual podcasts, simulcasting to online platforms, or managing live call-ins and studio guests with minimal setup time, the Lawo-powered system is designed to evolve with Cape Media's vision.

Picture Credits: ©Bahati Mutembei, Reallex Films

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