I am happy to announce a new company, I started with former BBC Journalist Shaheera Asante, called Nyota Media. It’s the world’s first communication and PR agency for innovative African entrepreneurs, start-ups, and international companies that use technology to improve the lives of Africans.

Based in London with an office in Nairobi opening in the new year, Nyota Media will focus on marketing, media, and brand development for African innovation companies.

On a daily basis, media headlines report on how mobile apps are used to improve and progress the life of Africans; from health, education, agriculture, green tech and commerce to fashion, games and entertainment.  Africa’s image within the global media has positively improved. In the past 5 years the image and perception of Africa in the western media has changed beyond recognition to be the most innovative and exciting place to be, and rightly so.

Currently, 7 out of 10 African countries  (Ethiopia, Mozambique, Tanzania, DR Congo, Ghana, Zambia and Nigeria) are in the fastest growing economies on the planet for the coming years with an average GDP growth rate of about 7 percent or more. These countries have a combined population of 424M people.

Long gone, thankfully, are the daily news feeds of war, poverty, starvation or corruption which was the only news reported on Africa by the very same media, who are now rushing to get the latest African innovation scopes and blog feeds – the progressive and brighter side of Africa was often ignored.

2012 has been a breakthrough year for innovative projects and mobile/technology startups in Africa. We’re entering an incredible prosperous time of market development, using innovation and mobile technology on the continent, The elements needed to create a healthy ecosystem which allows entrepreneurs and startups to grow in this area are coming together.

Nyota Media’s founders are well-connected within the international technology media and the African innovation scene, and have recognised the need to support effective communication and PR strategies in this growing sector on the continent.

For its launch NYOTA MEDIA has released today its presentation on Mobile Opportunities in Africa – Engaging with the next billion which was curated and presented by me recently at the ForumOxford Mobile Apps and Technologies Conference 2013, at Oxford University.

Follow @nyotamedia on Twitter for regular updates on our activities and news on innovation in Africa.