On March 27, 2025, Radio Ndeke Luka (RNL) celebrates 25 years of commitment to reliable and independent information in the Central African Republic. Since its independence in 1960, the Central African Republic has endured two civil wars and remains plagued by chronic insecurity and economic underdevelopment. In this context of economic and social crisis and political instability, Radio Ndeke Luka (RNL) has established itself as a public service institution, working to ensure access to reliable information and fostering a climate of dialogue. RNL is now the most listened-to media outlet in the country, with nearly 71% of the population tuning in daily (2022–2024), and it enjoys a trust rate of 96% (2023).
Origins
The story of the radio began in the year 2000. It succeeded Radio Minurca, the station of the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic, which handed over operations to the Fondation Hirondelle upon its departure from the country. The name “Ndeke Luka” is a combination of “Ndeke”, a word in Sango that refers to a bird, and “Luka”, derived from the English word “luck.” “Ndeke Luka” thus means “the bird of good omen.”
In December 2007, a new telecommunications law was adopted in the CAR, requiring national registration of operators. This led to the creation of the Ndeke Luka Foundation, a Central African legal entity that became the official structure in charge of the radio. This reorganization was accompanied by other reforms, including the establishment of a communication management unit and a capacity-building plan for executives and managers, which has resulted in a fully Central African team today.
Significant reach
The radio’s FM coverage has expanded significantly over the years. At its inception, RNL only broadcast in the capital city, Bangui. After the second civil war in 2013, several international aid projects emerged. The Fondation Hirondelle secured funding from the European Union and the Bêkou Trust Fund, among others, enabling the construction of new transmitters that expanded RNL’s FM coverage and impact across the country.
In 2021, a survey was conducted in Beloko to assess the impact of RNL on listeners before and after the construction of three transmitters in the region. Concrete results were observed: electoral engagement, adherence to democratic values, rejection of violence, and awareness of the dangers of misinformation all increased significantly, highlighting RNL’s essential role for local communities. The radio now broadcasts through 13 transmitters. (A link to the impact study will be added.)
“The programs addressing rumors helped Fulani people, once associated with armed groups, return and live together peacefully with communities in Bouar.” — Listener testimony on RNL’s impact on social cohesion, 2024.
A relationship of trust
In 2024, Radio Ndeke Luka is listened to daily by 71% of the population—44 percentage points more than its closest competitor. 96% of listeners say RNL’s programs are useful, and 31% consider them indispensable to their lives. Trust in RNL is high: 86% of respondents say they turn to RNL when an event occurs in the CAR, 66% when an event happens elsewhere in Africa, and 59% for global events.
Its program schedule is diverse, meeting the population’s varying needs for information, entertainment, and public debate.
“MANDAKO gives me general knowledge, while PATARA provides me with insights into my country’s political, economic, and social situation.” — Listener from Bégoua, speaking about two RNL programs, January 2025.
RNL also distinguishes itself by broadcasting in both French and Sango; only 5% of listeners tune in exclusively in French, while 64% listen in both languages. Another striking fact: RNL reaches a notably young audience, with 59% of its listeners under the age of 35, giving the station a closeness to youth that sets it apart from other outlets.
A study is currently underway to better understand the reasons behind the radio’s popularity and the trust it inspires. However, several hypotheses can already be proposed:
- Journalistic rigor: The station has consistently maintained a non-partisan stance in service of independent and reliable reporting, even in the face of political pressure and tensions.
- Continuity: Since its creation, RNL has never ceased broadcasting, even during the most intense periods of civil war.
- Trust: Its continuous presence over 25 years has created a special bond with its audience. RNL is often described as a source of psychological support, a constant presence amid conflict.
- Proximity: RNL’s programs are produced by and for Central Africans. They deliver locally grounded information that is useful in daily life and accessible in both French and Sango, the country’s vernacular language.
25 years of commitment
For 25 years, Radio Ndeke Luka has embodied a voice of trust, a bridge to the people, and a point of reference for millions of Central Africans. Through crises and change, the radio has remained true to its mission: to provide independent, reliable, accessible information that fosters dialogue.