Few media powerhouses have redefined Africa’s storytelling as profoundly as Peace Hyde. A trailblazer in journalism, television, and entertainment, Hyde has built an empire of groundbreaking firsts. She was the first journalist to sit down with Africa’s billionaires to discuss their failures on My Worst Day and Against All Odds, and the first Ghanaian to helm Forbes Africa’s digital media. She also made history as the first African creator to land an unscripted original commission deal with Netflix—ushering in the hit reality show Young, Famous & African (YFA).
Her exclusive sit-down with GQ South Africa unpacks her mission: to dismantle stereotypes, shake up the media landscape, and uplift the next generation.
For decades, Africa’s image in global media has been stagnant—often reduced to poverty, war, and aid appeals. But Hyde has been on a relentless quest to shift that perception. In her GQ interview, she recalls growing up in the UK when being African was considered “uncool” and facing questions about whether Africa had roads. These experiences fueled her passion for storytelling as a tool for cultural rebranding.
With Young, Famous & African, she turned the lens on a side of Africa rarely seen on the world stage: one filled with glamour, ambition, and success. The show, now a global sensation, spotlights elite African creatives and entrepreneurs—an audacious counterpoint to old narratives. Hyde’s view is clear: Africa is rising, and the world needs to catch up.
Despite its massive success, Young, Famous & African has not been without criticism. Some argue that its drama and opulence misrepresent the continent. But Hyde, as she tells GQ, is unfazed. She sees it as an authentic portrayal of an aspirational Africa—one that finally allows Africans to own their stories.
She welcomes critique but stands firm in her vision. To her, the biggest win is that the world is no longer asking if Africans live on trees. Instead, they are engaged in discussions about love, betrayal, wealth, and ambition—just as they would with any reality show from the West.
As someone who has worked across Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa, Hyde has a panoramic view of the African media landscape. She highlights Nigeria’s Nollywood as a dominant force and praises South Africa’s high production standards. But she also points out Ghana’s struggle with digitalization and global reach. For Ghana to compete, she believes it must embrace streaming platforms and international partnerships—just as Korea did with hits like Squid Game.
Hyde’s vision is clear: Africa’s entertainment industry has the potential to dominate the world stage. But it requires investment, innovation, and a global strategy to push its creative exports forward.
For all her success in media, Hyde remains deeply committed to philanthropy. As a former teacher, she understands the transformative power of education, which led her to establish Aim Higher Africa, an initiative that has helped create over 5,000 small-scale businesses for young entrepreneurs.
To Hyde, storytelling and social impact go hand in hand. She believes that true success lies in lifting others up, and her work—both on and off-screen—proves it.
From winning the Sanlam Excellence in Financial Journalism Award to being named a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, Hyde has solidified her place as one of Africa’s most influential voices. But as she tells GQ, this is just the beginning.
With Africa at the center of global pop culture—from music to fashion to cinema—Hyde is leading the charge. Her GQ interview is a bold declaration that the African narrative is no longer up for debate—it is being rewritten by those who live it.
And Peace Hyde? She’s making sure the world is watching.
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