Tanzanian businessman Rostam Aziz has promised to invest in and strengthen Nation Media Group, saying the company will remain independent and expand to reach a wider audience across the region.
Speaking during a press conference in Nairobi on 11th march 2026 following the announcement of the deal, Aziz said his goal is to grow the media house rather than cut costs or reduce operations.
Aziz is set to become the majority shareholder of Nation Media Group after his company agreed to acquire the stake previously held by the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development through NPRT Holdings Africa Limited. Once the transaction is completed, the company linked to Aziz will control 54.08% of Nation Media Group, equivalent to more than 92 million ordinary shares.
During the press conference, Aziz addressed concerns raised by journalists about editorial independence, particularly in relation to government influence through advertising. He said strong media institutions should not rely solely on government advertising to survive.
“You cannot run your media company by depending on advertisements alone. We are not going to compromise the independence of our media company because of advertisements,” he said.
According to him, the future of the media group lies in expanding its reach, especially among younger audiences and emerging businesses. He noted that many traditional media organizations still focus mainly on older audiences and must evolve to connect with younger generations.
“The Nation Media Group today is catering for 30 and above. It has not really transformed itself to reach the bigger population, which is the youth,” Aziz said. He added that investment in technology and digital platforms will be key to transforming the company into a modern media organization. Aziz also sought to reassure employees of the company, saying the changes are not meant to lead to layoffs. “There will be more jobs created rather than less jobs created as we move forward,” he said, adding that the aim is to build a stronger and more profitable media organization.
Addressing concerns about his political connections in the region, Aziz said his relationships with leaders across East Africa are based on long-standing business and regional cooperation. “I believe in relationships,” he said, noting that he has worked with leaders from several countries across the region.
Aziz said the new partnership aims to build on the foundation laid by Nation Media Group over the past six decades. “The legacy of Nation Media Group will be respected, and the institution will be strengthened,” he said.
