Mediamax Network Limited’s game-changing People Daily News Application has been shortlisted for the Best Innovative Digital Project award at the Digital Media Awards Africa 2025 by the World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA).

The user-friendly dynamic app, which gives readers real-time news updates on their phones, was picked by the jury among outstanding projects excelling in journalism, digital products, and monetisation initiatives. The award seeks to underscore the region’s commitment to developing innovative and engaging digital media solutions.

“We are delighted to announce the finalists for the Digital Media Awards Africa 2025! These outstanding projects have excelled in journalism, digital products, and monetisation initiatives. Once again, the region proves its commitment to creating inspiring projects that engage and inform its audiences,” WAN-IFRA stated.

Winners in all categories will be officially named on Monday, April 7, 2025.

Details of the APP

The app came to light after People Daily newspaper took a bold step to fully go digital, a step that saw the paper become the first Kenyan print newspaper to transition entirely to digital publication.

Offering a website interface with the app being , it transitioned from bringing impactful and conversation-driving news at physical newsstands to the digital space.

The app, which is readily available on Play Store for Android phones and App Store for iPhones, offers users stories of their choice at a glance through different categories such as News, Inside Politics, Sports, Business, Lifestyle, and Insights.

Besides the live feed news, all the dynamic People Daily ePaper editions can also be accessed on this game-changing app.

Since its launch, it has continued to produce real-time, enhanced, quality, people-oriented stories while at the same time promoting sustainable journalism informed by the urgency to conserve the environment and secure the future health of the planet.

Unlike before, when the paper was limited to a few who could access it, the app has now made it possible for all Kenyans to access daily, fresh and impactful stories from People Daily.

Competitors for the award

People Daily News App will be battling it out with the Manifesto MAYHEM project by South Africa’s Daily Maverick, and the A Digital Revolution in News and Content Access project by Tanzania’s Mwananchi Communications Limited, among others.

Other categories in the competition included Best Data Visualisation, Best Fact-checking Report, Best Newsletter, Best Use of Video, Best Digital Subscription Initiative, and Best Use of AI in the Newsroom.

WAN-IFRA

The World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) is the world’s largest international press organisation representing 3,000 news publishing companies and technology entrepreneurs and 60 member publisher associations representing 18,000 publications in 120 countries.

It was established to protect the rights of journalists and publishers worldwide to operate independent media and also provides members with expertise and services to innovate and prosper in a digital world.

Since its foundation in 1948, WAN-IFRA has always been committed to fostering international business cooperation among publishers, sharing best practices in both business and technology.

It also engages with public authorities, institutions, and other trade bodies to promote press freedom and advocate for the independence of news media organisations.