James Makawa

James Makawa, Founder & CEO, The Africa Channel. "Co-Founder of The Africa Channel and originally from Zimbabwe, Mr. Makawa enjoyed a successful career in both local and network television in the United States. For more than 10 years, Mr. Makawa worked as a local news reporter and anchor with leading local stations before joining NBC News as a correspondent in New York and Chicago.

"Mr. Makawa returned to South Africa and co-founded the African Barter Company (ABC), in partnership with Grey Advertising Worldwide. ABC was the first barter syndication company ever launched in Africa. Mr. Makawa cleared hundreds of hours on TV stations across the continent reaching an audience topping 150 million. In 2000, Mr. Makawa co-founded the African Broadcast Network, a pan African network of television stations with affiliates in 18 countries throughout sub-Saharan Africa. As ABN's executive vice president for program acquisition and distribution, Mr. Makawa acquired programming from such U.S. program suppliers as NBC, CBS, MGM, Columbia Tri-Star, Endemol and Paramount.“


 * Director, African Wildlife Foundation
 * Director, PCI-Media Impact