DRM Africa Newsletter – July 2026 - Digital Radio Mondiale

Dear Friends, Colleagues and Partners,

Welcome to the summer edition of the 2026 Africa newsletter.

Announced at IBC 2025, the quarterly African newsletter sees its fourth edition which includes more updates and announcements from the Consortium and news from South Africa, Nigeria and other parts of the world.

In the summer Africa newsletter, we have included a link to our automotive global meeting (virtual) and the IBC in Amsterdam in September.

Digital Radio Mondiale – DRM – is made for Africa with its many big countries, and smaller ones, and with a lot of rural communities that need and deserve the same services as the listeners in the big cities.

The newsletter stays as a strong invitation to all those interested to learn more about DRM and share their news so that digital radio can become reality and bring its good audio and many digital benefits to the millions of avid African listeners

Please send us your news, opinions, projects and questions to projectoffice@drm.org and we will make sure that the next edition will include your name and capture your communication, if relevant to your country or your region.

And if you’d like more information about joining the Consortium, so you are fully involved with our work and have access to specialist experts and more information, please contact projectoffice@drm.org.

Finally, please do not forget to follow and subscribe to all our LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram channels.

Ruxandra Obreja

DRM Chairman

Latest News

DRM Update and New Developments

This month, the DRM Consortium continues to demonstrate why digital radio is becoming essential infrastructure across Africa and beyond. As countries look for technologies that deliver wider reach, lower operating costs and resilient public‑service communication, DRM stands out as a solution that is not only technically advanced but economically practical. From energy‑efficient transmission to powerful data services, broadcasters are discovering that modernising radio can be both cost‑saving and future‑proof.

📄 Read more in Better, Faster, Cheaper

DRM – e-learning Pioneering Efforts Showcased in Africa

DRM educational solutions were presented at the big annual eLearning Africa event held at the beginning of June in Accra, Ghana. The eLearning Africa annual conference and exhibition, established in 2005, is the largest and most comprehensive knowledge sharing event for digital education, training and skills on the African continent.

This time the DRM Consortium was represented by Edugist, a Nigerian education and media organisation.

📄news.drm.org: DRM for Digital Learning at eLearning Africa 2026 fronted by Edugist

👍Read and like the post on LinkedIn

A New DRM Consortium Member – Edugist

We are pleased to welcome Edugist as a new African member of the DRM Consortium.

Edugist has already taken an active role this year, joining Africa e‑learning engagements and representing the Consortium directly in Ghana.

With the DRM South Africa Group firmly established after several years of activity, it is encouraging to see new members emerging from other parts of the continent. Edugist’s participation from Nigeria marks another step in strengthening Africa’s collective momentum for modern, scalable digital radio.

For more about Edugist – visit: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

DRM in South Africa Update

The DRM South Africa Group has submitted its first quarterly progress report for the DRM in FM trial being conducted by the DRM Southern Africa (DRM SA) Group under a test licence issued by the South African regulator, ICASA, to the private station BluLemon Ltd in November 2025.

Since the licence was granted, the DRM SA Group has made significant progress in the establishment and commissioning of the DRM in FM trial infrastructure, the execution of the official trial launch, and the demonstration of key DRM capabilities to a range of stakeholders.

The trial officially launched on 13 February 2026 – UNESCO World Radio Day – from the Northcliff high-site in Johannesburg, broadcasting on 91.25 MHz at 70 watts transmitter output power. Three broadcast services (Radio Pulpit, HOT1027 and an Education channel) were carried simultaneously on a single FM frequency. The launch coincided with a world-first demonstration of e-learning via DRM digital radio in the FM band.

From February to April 2026, the trial operated successfully and attracted national and international attention, including visits from Mozambican broadcasting and regulatory authorities. Media coverage included interviews on HOT 102.7 and Radio Pulpit, as well as press coverage in prestigious publication TechCentral.

In May 2026, the transmitter was taken off-air due to a power amplifier fault being rectified currently. The transmitter is expected to return to air very soon.

So far, the trial has generated meaningful engagement while demonstrating DRM’s capabilities in a real-world South African FM environment. The next phases – multi-channel testing, coverage verification, and Emergency Warning Functionality (EWF) demonstration – will proceed very soon.

South Africa’s Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) issued a policy direction to ICASA on 10 July 2020 to begin developing digital sound broadcasting (DSB) regulations. ICASA published the DSB Regulations in April 2021, which identified both DRM and DAB+ as the recommended standards for digital radio in South Africa.

The DRM Consortium revived the DRM South Africa Group in 2021 to advocate for DRM as the preferred DSB standard and to build awareness among broadcasters, industry stakeholders, and the public. The DRM SA Group determined in August 2024 that BluLemon (Pty) Ltd would undertake a long-term DRM FM trial on behalf of the Group.

Russel Jones, CEO BluLemon and Aldred Dryer Chairman of the DRM SA Group

DRM partners supporting the trial infrastructure include Fraunhofer IIS (providing DRM ContentServer and MultimediaPlayer technologies), RFmondial, Starwaves, and the DRM Consortium Project Office (providing coordination, technical guidance, and international support).

DRM Progresses in Nigeria: High-Level Delegation Explores Digital Radio Solutions

Nigeria’s broadcast leaders visited Cestron International in Germany to assess DRM digital radio technology, highlighting its potential for wider coverage, clearer audio and new public‑service features. The delegation agreed to begin local DRM demonstrations across shortwave, medium wave and VHF.

📄 Nigeria High Level Delegation explores Digital Radio Solutions

Transforming Education Summit +4 convenes in Paris Friday, July 10

Global education leaders will gather at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on Friday, 10 July for the Transforming Education Summit +4 (TES+4) a high‑level meeting focused on system transformation and resilience for SDG 4. DRM will be attending, contributing to discussions on how resilient, inclusive technologies can strengthen learning systems worldwide.

The meeting led by UN Deputy Secretary‑General Amina J. Mohammed and UNESCO Director‑General Khaled El‑Enany, brings together more than 25 education ministers, youth leaders, and changemakers. Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa takes on the leadership of the SDG 4 High Level Steering Committee.

TES+4 will spotlight two urgent priorities: building resilient education systems and mobilising sustainable financing to deliver real impact for learners everywhere.

🎥Watch the meeting live (English): YouTube

(to follow in other languages visit: Transforming Education Summit + 4: System transformation and resilience for SDG 4.)

Broadcast Media – Why African Radio’s biggest Crisis has Nothing to do with Spotify

Broadcast Media Africa argues that African radio’s real crisis isn’t Spotify or streaming competition, it’s the industry’s lack of truthful, modern audience measurement.

📄 Full story: Why African Radio’s biggest Crisis has Nothing to do with Spotify

DRM at IBC in September

The DRM Consortium is starting its preparations for IBC 2026 in Amsterdam (ibc.org), the Netherlands in middle September. Please note the dates:

8th Sep – virtual DRM Update (1200-1500 CEST) REGISTER TO ATTEND
12th Sep (1600-1730 CEST) Fraunhofer IIS Booth 8.B80– a live event at the IBC RAI centre in Amsterdam
13th Sep (1530-1700 CEST) Nautel Booth 8.B73 – a live event at the IBC RAI centre in Amsterdam

For the latest information visit: drm.org/ibc2026