Alexis Akwagyiram is an accomplished multimedia journalist with extensive experience working in print, online, television and radio. He specialises in current affairs related to Africa and its diaspora. Alexis was named one of the 100 Most Influential Africans in 2025 by New African magazine in recognition of his impact on the continent's media landscape.
Alexis is the managing editor of Semafor Africa, a digital publication that specialises in business news about the continent. He oversees a team of reporters spread across Africa. In this role, Alexis combines editorial leadership, commissioning and editing with his own original reporting and analysis. He was part of the team that launched Semafor, a New York-headquartered global media company, in 2022. Alexis joined from the Financial Times where he shaped the newspaper's Covid-19 pandemic coverage as its health and science editor. He also wrote and edited stories about African business and politics. Prior to joining the FT, Alexis was the Nigeria bureau chief for Reuters. He reported on a range of issues including economic trends, politics, and the arts during his six years in the country. Business news formed the bedrock of his work.
He previously worked as a multimedia journalist at the BBC. During 10 years at the corporation, Alexis took on a number of roles including multimedia journalist at BBC Africa, online reporter, TV producer, World Service radio broadcaster and New Media Editor at the BBC's international development arm.
Alexis began his career as a reporter at the Evening Standard and a regular freelance contributor to the Guardian.