Development Through Media

What Development Through Media does

Development Through Media (DTM), founded in 1996 and operational since 1997, is a Kenyan-registered, not-for-profit Civil Society Organisation (M-CSO) headquartered in Nairobi with a staff of 10. It runs development-communication programmes designed to amplify civic-society voices and extend the reach of thematic CSOs in Kenya and East Africa. Its core platform comprises two owned broadcast channels — Radio Baraza, an online radio dedicated to Access to Information and Freedom of Expression content, and Development Television (DevTV) — alongside the AWiTaD podcast on African women in technology and design, documentaries (e.g., 'Voices of Reason', 'The Women's Agenda'), and campaigns such as 'I Celebrate Her'.

Underlying capabilities are conventional media production: radio broadcasting, video and documentary production, podcasting, and field-based media research. DTM packages these alongside advisory service lines — Media Research, Media Efficiency, Civil Society Strengthening, Raising Profiles, Open Dialogue, Advocacy and Lobbying, and Organisational Development — delivered through a curated roster of partner practitioners (producers, video editors, camera operators, designers).

DTM does not generate commercial revenue. Its business model is donor- and grant-funded, executing programmes via strategic partnerships with Kenyan CSOs (Katiba Institute, KHRC, Uraia Trust, Mazingira Institute, TI-Kenya, AfriCog, CMD-Kenya), bilateral/multilateral development partners (UK DFID, UN Women, NDI, British High Commission, Goethe-Institut, Swedish Institute) and academic collaborators (University of Groningen). Its customer base is the civil society ecosystem it serves as both platform and programme implementer.

Name

Development Through Media

Legal name

Development Through Media

Website

https://dtmafrica.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Development Through Media is a Kenyan not-for-profit civil society organisation that runs Radio Baraza and Development Television to amplify civil-society voices, produce advocacy content, and deliver media and governance programming across Kenya and East Africa.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Development Communication Services

NAICS

Broadcasting and Content Providers (516), Motion Picture and Video Production (512110)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Television Broadcasting Stations (4833)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPABADAF

Public Broadcasting Production Units & Studios (In-house/Member)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Broadcasting (TV & Radio)/Public/Nonprofit Broadcasting (PBS/NPR-style)

SECONDARYMPABADAG

Public Media Digital Platforms & Streaming (Apps, On-demand, Podcasts)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Broadcasting (TV & Radio)/Public/Nonprofit Broadcasting (PBS/NPR-style)

SECONDARYMPABADAN

Public Media Partnerships & Content Co-productions (NGO/Cultural)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Broadcasting (TV & Radio)/Public/Nonprofit Broadcasting (PBS/NPR-style)

SECONDARYBPAGAHAJ

Media Arts & Film/Photography Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Arts, Culture & Heritage Nonprofits

Keywords

• Development communication
• Civic media
• Civil society support
• Community broadcasting
• Advocacy media

Headquarters

HQ city

Nairobi

HQ country

Kenya

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Not-for-profit / Civil Society Organization: DTM operates as a not-for-profit Civil Society Organisation (M-CSO) and does not generate commercial revenue. The organization implements programs and serves as a platform for partnerships with funding from development partners and donors.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Development Through Media is a media-based civil society organisation that produces and broadcasts development-focused audio-visual content through its dedicated online platforms Radio Baraza and Development Television (DevTV). The organisation provides media-for-development services to civil society partners, including media production, civic education broadcasting, advocacy content, and capacity-building for thematic-based CSOs working on governance, democracy, human rights, and gender equity in Kenya and East Africa.

Product overview

Development Through Media (DTM) operates a portfolio of media products and services focused on development communication and civic empowerment in Kenya. The core offerings include Radio Baraza (an online radio platform for CSO deliberations and documentaries) and Development Television (DevTV) for visual broadcast content. The AWiTaD (African Women in Technology and Design) Podcast showcases women in tech and design fields. DTM also produces video documentaries (Voices of Reason, The Women's Agenda), runs campaigns (I Celebrate Her), and provides services including Media Research, Media Efficiency, Civil Society Strengthening, and Open Dialogue facilitation. These products work together to support civic education, democratic participation, and development advocacy across Kenya and East Africa.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Radio Baraza: Online radio platform created by DTM to support Access to Information and Freedom of Expression strategies targeting citizens' information needs on diverse issues including politics, socioeconomic, democracy, and Human Rights in the context of devolution.
• Development Television (DevTV)

Products and services

• Radio Baraza Online radio platform dedicated to supporting Access to Information and Freedom of Expression strategies targeting citizens' information needs on politics, socioeconomic matters, democracy, and human rights in the context of devolution. Features programme genres including in-depth documentaries, radio discussion forums, and CSO deliberations.
• Development Television (DevTV) Television development broadcasting platform managed by DTM, providing visual media content for development advocacy and civic education purposes in Kenya and East Africa.
• African Women in Technology and Design (AWiTaD) Podcast A podcast series that features women of African descent who have built successful businesses in tech and design, providing a platform for storytelling, knowledge sharing, and exploring future business and influence endeavors.
• Media For Development Service Core DTM service focused on harnessing media and communication for inclusive and transformative development in Kenya and East Africa.
• Media Research Services Research services aimed at informing the sound development of media programmes, including field data analysis to enhance the quality and effectiveness of media programmes and content.
• Media Efficiency Services Services focused on media infrastructural development and improving the efficiency and reach of media operations in Kenya and East Africa.
• Civil Society Strengthening Services Services providing crucial linkages between citizens and the development agenda, enhancing transparency, promoting accountable and just governance, and enabling citizens to become more knowledgeable about their rights and responsibilities.
• Strategic Partnerships Services Service facilitating closer working relationships between thematic-based CSOs, media-based non-profit counterparts, independent institutions, and other entities whose work supports human progress and overall development.
• Advocacy And Lobbying Services Advocacy and lobbying services supporting development objectives and policy influence in Kenya and East Africa.
• Open Dialogue Services Services that extend public discussions on issues raised through media programmes and actions of collaborative partners, utilising social media and other strategies to broaden civic engagement.
• Organisational Development Services Organisational development services supporting civil society organisations in strengthening their institutional capacities for development work.
• Raising Profiles Services Services aimed at addressing media marginalisation of women, children, and youth whose actions and experiences are often underrepresented in mainstream media.

Quantifiable outcome

• Community capacity building for democratic participation through 12+ years of sustained programming

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD-Kenya)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 October 2019CMD-Kenya is a political parties-based membership organization with mandate to enhance multiparty democracy and strengthen institutional capacity of political parties. DTM produced the 'Voices of Reason' video in partnership with CMD for the inaugural People's Dialogue Festival.
• Katiba InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 August 2019Katiba Institute was established to promote understanding and implementation of Kenya's 2010 Constitution through research, constitutional education, and public participation. DTM documented deliberations and developed audio content for the 9th Katiba Day Commemoration, broadcasting on Radio Baraza.
• Mazingira InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 August 2019Mazingira Institute works in the Kenyan civil society space integrating knowledge and practice for enhancement of human dignity and sustainability of natural environments. Partnered with DTM for Katiba Day commemoration activities.
• Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 August 2019KHRC aims to enhance human rights-centred governance through strategies that foster human rights, democratic values, and social justice. DTM provides broadcast coverage for KHRC events including the Failed Quest for Electoral Justice book launch.
• Uraia TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 August 2019Uraia aims to build an informed, empowered and democratic nation by facilitating civic education. Partnered with DTM for Katiba Day commemoration and other civic education initiatives.
• AwaaZ MagazineminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 August 2019AwaaZ Magazine is published tri-annually out of Nairobi, Kenya, providing a platform for debate on contemporary issues including diversity, democracy, human rights, and social justice. Partnered with DTM for Katiba Day commemoration.
• Africa Centre for Open Governance (AfriCog)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 May 2019AfriCog is an independent, non-profit organization providing cutting edge research and monitoring on governance and public ethics. DTM provides broadcast coverage for AfriCog report launches including the 'State Capture' report on corruption.
• County Governance WatchminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 May 2018County Governance Watch organized the CSOs Reflection and Engagement Forum on Post-Devolution Conference. DTM provided broadcast production for these governance discussions.
• Civil Society Urban Development PlatformminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 May 2018Civil Society Urban Development Platform partnered with County Governance Watch and URAIA for post-devolution conference. DTM provided broadcast coverage.
• Transparency International Kenya (TI-Kenya)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 April 2018TI-Kenya works on anti-corruption efforts and public accountability. Partnered with DTM for public forums on accountability for public resources, with DTM providing broadcast coverage of events.
• Goethe-Institut KenyaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 March 2018The Goethe-Institut organized Civil Society Dialogues series of panel discussions on policy issues in cooperation with Twaweza Communications. DTM provided broadcast production coverage.
• Twaweza CommunicationsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 March 2018Twaweza Communications partnered with Goethe-Institut for Civil Society Dialogues series. DTM provided broadcast coverage for these policy discussions.
• British High Commission in NairobiminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 March 2018The British High Commission organized the 'Eat and Tweet' Breakfast meeting on Leadership and Influence of Women in Politics. DTM provided broadcast production for the event covering proceedings.
• UN WomenminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 February 2018UN Women participated as keynote speaker at the Women in Politics National Conference and Gender Audit Report launch. DTM provided multi-part broadcast coverage of the conference.
• National Democratic Institute (NDI)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 February 2018NDI senior programme manager presented statistical analysis of women's performance in 2017 elections at the Gender Audit Conference. DTM broadcast the proceedings.
• UK DFID KenyaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 February 2018DFID Kenya Head Pete Vowles delivered keynote address at the Women in Politics conference. DTM provided broadcast coverage of the event.
• Swedish InstituteminorOthersSwedish Institute partnership acknowledged on DTM website footer, indicating funding or collaborative support for development communication initiatives.
• University of Groningen (RUG)minorOthersUniversity of Groningen partnership acknowledged on DTM website, indicating collaborative relationship for research or academic purposes.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Ushahidi: Kenyan-origin civic technology non-profit building tools for citizen reporting and accountability. Comparable as a Kenya-headquartered non-profit leveraging technology for civic empowerment and governance, with a software product focus vs DTM's broadcast content focus.
• Heinrich Böll Foundation East Africa: German political foundation affiliated to the Green Party with active Nairobi office supporting governance, gender equity, and civil society work in East Africa. Comparable as a Nairobi-based non-profit working on similar themes (democracy, gender, civic education), though primarily funder-focused rather than media-producing.

Broad incumbents

• Internews: Global non-profit supporting independent media and information access in more than 100 countries. Highly comparable to DTM's mandate of strengthening media capacity for civil society, with broader geographic reach and similar focus on access to information and freedom of expression.
• BBC Media Action: BBC's international development media charity operating across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Directly comparable as a media-for-development organization that produces governance, health, and civic education programming for underserved audiences. Significantly larger and global, but addresses the same development communication mandate as DTM.
• CIVICUS: Global civil society alliance monitoring civic space and supporting civil society organizations worldwide. Comparable as an enabler of civil society strengthening work that DTM supports through media programming, with a global vs DTM's Kenya-focused scope.

Direct peers

• Code for Africa: Africa's largest civic technology and data journalism initiative, headquartered in Kenya. Directly comparable as a Kenya-based non-profit leveraging media and technology for governance, accountability, and citizen empowerment, though with a stronger data/tech focus than DTM's broadcast model.
• Article 19: International human rights organization working on freedom of expression and information, with significant Africa programming. Comparable to DTM's focus on access to information, freedom of expression, and CSO capacity building through media.
• Free Press Unlimited: Dutch non-profit supporting independent journalism and press freedom in restrictive environments. Comparable mission around access to information, free expression, and supporting local media to amplify marginalized voices, similar to DTM's development communication focus.
• WITNESS: International non-profit using video for human rights. Directly comparable to DTM's use of audio-visual media (DevTV, Radio Baraza, documentaries) for rights advocacy, governance, and amplifying marginalized voices, with a stronger focus on human rights documentation.

Emerging players

• Africa Check: Africa's first independent fact-checking organization, with operations across multiple African countries including Kenya. Comparable as an Africa-focused non-profit media organization addressing governance and accountability, though focused on fact-checking rather than broader civic broadcasting.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/development-through-media

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Development Through Media