Oroko Radio

What Oroko Radio does

Oroko Radio is a not-for-profit independent internet radio station headquartered in Accra, Ghana, founded in 2021. The organization operates the oroko.live broadcasting platform, streaming curated scheduled shows from a network of more than 500 resident artists, DJs, and guest contributors drawn from cities across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Programming spans African-rooted and diasporic genres such as Afro House, Amapiano, Gqom, Maloya, Mbalax, and Highlife, alongside adjacent electronic and club styles including Jungle, Footwork, Brazilian Funk, Dembow, Trip Hop, Ambient, and Field Recordings.

The core product is the live radio platform, supplemented by a maintained online archive of past shows, a branded e-commerce store at shop.oroko.live selling caps and t-shirts, and a Substack newsletter. Distribution combines self-serve internet streaming with physical retail merchandise availability through Lokko House in Accra and Patta Store Lagos, plus in-person event programming in cities including Accra, Lagos, Nairobi, Los Angeles, and Paris. Marketing relies on organic social channels (Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Facebook), a Discord community server, and email.

Revenue is overwhelmingly grant-dependent, with supplementary contributions from Patreon subscriptions, newsletter subscriptions, branded merchandise, and brand collaborations including flagship-tier partnerships with Carhartt WIP, Patta, Nike, and Union. The organization employs 1-10 staff and has publicly disclosed that the small core team experienced serious burnout; in April 2026, Oroko announced an indefinite broadcast hiatus while committing to preserve the show archive and continue event and project work pending adequate funding. Co-founder Kikelomo, a British-Nigerian DJ, is the only management figure named in the source material.

Name

Oroko Radio

Legal name

Oroko Radio

Website

https://oroko.live

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Oroko Radio is a not-for-profit independent internet radio station based in Accra, Ghana, broadcasting curated shows from 500+ resident artists across Africa and the diaspora. Funded primarily through grants and brand collaborations; announced an indefinite broadcast hiatus in April 2026 due to unsustainable resources.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Internet Radio Broadcasting

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Internet Radio & Streaming Broadcast Stations (Simulcast/Online-only) (MPAIAEAE)

Keywords

• Independent internet radio
• Community radio station
• Music broadcasting platform
• Cultural programming
• African diaspora music

Headquarters

HQ city

Accra

HQ country

Ghana

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Grants and Funding: Majority of work funded by grants. The organization is seeking adequate funding to become sustainable and return from hiatus.
2. Collaborations and Brand Partnerships: Revenue generated through collaborations with brands like Carhartt WIP, Patta, Nike, and Union for events and broadcasts.
3. Merchandise Sales: Online shop selling branded merchandise including t-shirts and caps. Products available online and in physical retail locations.
4. Patreon Subscriptions: Monthly subscription support through Patreon platform for ongoing community support.
5. Substack Newsletter: Newsletter subscription model through Substack for community engagement and support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Oroko Radio operates a not-for-profit independent internet radio station that broadcasts curated music shows from a global network of over 500 contributing artists and DJs across Africa, the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Programming spans African and diaspora music genres such as Afro House, Amapiano, Gqom, Maloya, Highlife, Jungle, Brazilian Funk, and Dembow, complemented by branded merchandise sales and live event programming in multiple cities worldwide.

Product overview

Oroko Radio operates as a not-for-profit independent internet radio station platform based in Accra, Ghana. The core offering is the radio broadcasting platform which streams curated shows from resident artists and guests representing over 100 cities across Africa, the Americas, Europe, and Asia. The platform also includes a merchandise e-commerce shop selling branded apparel. The radio programming spans diverse electronic music genres including Afro House, Amapiano, Gqom, Jungle, Brazilian Funk, Dembow, and Hip Hop, with content created by a global community of DJs and artists. The platform supports its operations through merchandise sales, Patreon subscriptions, and event collaborations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Oroko Radio Internet Radio Station Continuous not-for-profit internet radio broadcast streaming curated music shows from a global network of more than 500 contributing resident and guest artists and DJs, focused on African and diaspora music genres including Afro House, Amapiano, Gqom, Maloya, Highlife, Jungle, Brazilian Funk, and Dembow. Listeners worldwide can tune in via the oroko.live platform, with shows scheduled by city and genre.
• Oroko Shop Branded Merchandise Direct-to-consumer online merchandise store selling branded Oroko Radio apparel including baseball caps priced at €38.95 and t-shirts in black and white variants priced at €35.95 each, available online and through retail partners including Lokko House in Accra and Patta Store in Lagos.
• Live Events and Club Nights

Quantifiable outcome

• 500+ contributors globally

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, minor and core.

• Carhartt WIPflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 March 2026Audio Archives is a global project by Carhartt WIP encompassing a printed publication, capsule collection, and worldwide program of radio broadcasts and events. Oroko Radio participated as one of 17 independent radio stations worldwide. The initiative celebrates over 15 years of Carhartt WIP Radio and features events and broadcasts in Accra in March 2026.
• THE WEIRD CULTminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 31 December 2025NYE beachside party collaboration at The Place in Accra with alternative nightlife architects.
• ALL MY COUSINSminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 31 December 2025NYE beachside party collaboration in Accra alongside THE WEIRD CULT and EIA001.
• EIA001minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 31 December 2025NYE beachside party collaboration in Accra as one of Accra's alternative nightlife architects.
• Deep HausminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 December 2025Lagos event collaboration presenting HEAT - a night of Deep House, Movement and Underground pressure.
• Ilé IjóminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 December 2025Lagos collaboration featuring DJs including Kikelomo, Abiodun, Aniko, Crasher Josh, and Juba.
• Gather HouseminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 December 2025Equal Beats After Party at Gather House (38 Norman Williams St, Ikoyi, Lagos) featuring all-female DJ lineup.
• Red Light Fashion RoomminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 December 2025UTOPIA event collaboration in Ibadan, Nigeria featuring DJs _faemous, _kikelomo, ytginmalibu, gemaemoone, crasher.josh, ilovemonsteras.
• PattaflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 26 September 2025Weekend takeover with Patta, Nike, and Union in Los Angeles featuring two full days of music, panels, and talks. Curated by Oroko Radio and Patta with live broadcast from 10 AM - 10 PM L.A. time.
• NikeflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 26 September 2025Weekend takeover in Los Angeles alongside Patta and Union featuring music, panels, and talks.
• UnionflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 26 September 2025Weekend takeover at Union space (5075 West Adams Blvd, Los Angeles) as part of Patta, Nike, Union collaboration.
• ZahabuminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 26 September 2025Nairobi club night debut collaboration with Zahabu at The Mall Rooftop, Westlands.
• PatreoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPatreon platform used for monthly subscription support from community members to help sustain the radio station.
• Lokko HouseminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRetail partner in Accra, Ghana where Oroko Radio merchandise is available for purchase in-store.
• Patta Store LagosminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRetail partner in Lagos, Nigeria where Oroko Radio merchandise is available for purchase in-store.
• SubstackminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNewsletter platform (orokoradio.substack.com) used for community engagement and updates.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Boiler Room: London-founded global music broadcasting platform streaming DJ sets and live performances across electronic and global genres at significantly larger scale—comparable programming genre and event-driven GTM, but with substantial commercial backing.
• KEXP: Seattle-based non-profit independent radio station with global streaming reach, focused on alternative and emerging music programming—larger-scale comparable non-profit/community-radio model.

Direct peers

• dublab: Los Angeles-based non-profit internet radio station with a global network of affiliate stations, broadcasting curated music and arts programming—directly comparable non-profit model with global contributor architecture.
• NTS Radio: London-based independent internet radio station broadcasting from multiple global cities with a community of resident DJs across genres including electronic, experimental, and global music—directly comparable to Oroko in format, audience, and non-commercial positioning.
• Rinse FM: UK-born pirate-turned-licensed internet and FM radio station broadcasting underground electronic, grime, and bass music with a similar DJ-led, community-rooted model that has expanded globally.
• The Lot Radio: Brooklyn-based independent online radio station streaming live DJ sets 24/7 from a physical kiosk/studio, with a comparable community-led, music-discovery focus and event-driven programming model.
• Worldwide FM: Independent global radio platform founded by Gilles Peterson streaming curated music programming across jazz, soul, electronic, and global sounds—comparable scope, curation philosophy, and independent/community-led ethos.
• Refuge Worldwide: Berlin-based independent non-profit internet radio station broadcasting underground electronic music with community-driven programming—comparable non-profit structure, contributor network model, and genre focus.
• Cashmere Radio: Berlin-based independent community radio station operating as a non-profit with resident DJs across experimental, electronic, and global genres—closest comparable in non-profit structure and grassroots operations.

Emerging players

• Red Light Radio (archived): Amsterdam-based independent internet radio station (now archived) that broadcast underground electronic and global music from a Red Light District studio—historically comparable community-led niche radio model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/orokoradio
• Facebookfacebook.com/OrokoRadio
• Instagraminstagram.com/orokoradio
• TikToktiktok.com/@orokoradio
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/oroko-radio

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Oroko Radio