S01E04 Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy
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Storytelling is the powerful thread that runs through the captivating tapestry of Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy’s life and career. For over 25 years, she has pursued a love for stories and the people who make them happen, especially those of African descent. Of Rwandan and Burundian parentage, Jocelyne’s childhood was both colourful and enlightening. “I was born in Addis and grew up in an extremely Pan-African manner,” she explains. “Addis Ababa is the headquarters of the African Union, and my mother was a secretary there. This is something that has really shaped my life.”
Her worldview was also influenced by personal migratory experiences, some shadowed by ruthless political upheaval. “Being uprooted comes with trauma, but it also comes with opportunities,” she shares. “What it means in practice is that yes, you are uprooted, you leave your life behind. You have to start over, but it also makes you very bold, very daring.” That sense of resilience continues to guide her journey as a mediatech leader par excellence.
As managing director of Spotify in Sub-Saharan Africa, Jocelyne holds a unique spot as one of this season’s Chess Masters. Her current role combines rich experience in journalism from Radio France Internationale and Reuters; keen media insight from Viacom Africa and Walt Disney Africa; and digital media expertise from Facebook in Sub-Saharan Africa. Jocelyne believes the future of audio in Africa is “young, bold and online”, an apt assertion as our music and amplified voices continue to bridge cultural gaps. To illustrate, she says: “I was speaking to some African students in Europe recently. They are just amazed at going to European clubs and hearing Amapiano and Afrobeats!” As the world taps its feet to the sounds of the continent, Jocelyne is committed to highlighting and empowering African creators to establish their talent, locally and globally.
Her worldview was also influenced by personal migratory experiences, some shadowed by ruthless political upheaval. “Being uprooted comes with trauma, but it also comes with opportunities,” she shares. “What it means in practice is that yes, you are uprooted, you leave your life behind. You have to start over, but it also makes you very bold, very daring.” That sense of resilience continues to guide her journey as a mediatech leader par excellence.
As managing director of Spotify in Sub-Saharan Africa, Jocelyne holds a unique spot as one of this season’s Chess Masters. Her current role combines rich experience in journalism from Radio France Internationale and Reuters; keen media insight from Viacom Africa and Walt Disney Africa; and digital media expertise from Facebook in Sub-Saharan Africa. Jocelyne believes the future of audio in Africa is “young, bold and online”, an apt assertion as our music and amplified voices continue to bridge cultural gaps. To illustrate, she says: “I was speaking to some African students in Europe recently. They are just amazed at going to European clubs and hearing Amapiano and Afrobeats!” As the world taps its feet to the sounds of the continent, Jocelyne is committed to highlighting and empowering African creators to establish their talent, locally and globally.
