Daily Monitor, NTV Uganda get new Tanzanian owner as Aga Khan sells shares

____________

After over six decades at the helm of one of East Africa’s most influential media houses, the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) has sold its stake in the Nation Media Group (NMG). The development means that the group, which owns several media outlets, including Uganda's Daily Monitor, NTV Uganda, and the Daily Nation, is marking the end of a historic 66-year relationship.

On March 11, 2026, AKFED announced that it had reached an agreement to sell its 100% shareholding in NPRT Holdings Africa Ltd (NPRT) to Taarifa Ltd. NPRT holds a 54.08% shareholding in NMG, comprising 92,618,177 ordinary shares.

The deal effectively transfers control of the Nairobi-based media giant.

AKFED’s involvement with NMG dates back to 1959, a partnership that saw the media house grow into one of East Africa’s most trusted sources of journalism. Over the decades, NMG expanded across the region with newspapers, television stations, radio platforms and digital outlets, becoming a powerful voice in public interest reporting.

New chapter

In a March 10, 2026, statement, NMG said the transition opens a new chapter for the company as it positions itself for the future. The group plans to deepen investments in digital transformation, focusing on strengthening its online platforms and modernising how it reaches audiences.

Taarifa Ltd said it is committed to support the transition and accelerating NMG’s digital growth, to enable the group to strengthen its connections with customers and build on its long-standing tradition of public-interest journalism.

Editorial professionalism

Rostam Azizi, the Taarifa Group founder, said the partnership is grounded in the commitment to editorial professionalism and institutional credibility.

He added that bigger media institutions earn trust through rigorous reporting, balanced perspectives and commitment to fight.

“My role as an investor is to support the strength of the institution and ensuring it has resources, leadership and stability required to continue serving the public with professionalism and integrity,” he said.