Yousra Elbagir – The Fearless Voice of Africa’s Untold Stories
Who is Yousra Elbagir?
Yousra Elbagir is a renowned Sudanese–British journalist, writer, and storyteller currently serving as the Africa Correspondent for Sky News. Known for her fearless field reporting, deep cultural insight, and commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices, she has quickly become one of the most respected figures in international journalism.
Her career reflects a rare combination of academic excellence, field experience, and moral conviction. With roots in both Khartoum, Sudan, and the United Kingdom, Yousra has built her identity around bridging worlds—using journalism as a tool for truth, empathy, and empowerment.
Early Life and Education
Yousra Elbagir was born and raised in Khartoum, Sudan, before spending part of her early life in the United Kingdom. Her family background is steeped in intellectual and journalistic traditions—her father is a journalist and politician, and her mother, Yasmin Elbagir, is Sudan’s first female publisher. This upbringing instilled in Yousra a profound sense of responsibility to tell stories that matter.
Her academic journey began at the University of St Andrews, where she pursued a Master of Arts (Honours) in Social Anthropology from 2011 to 2015. During her time there, she was actively involved with TEDxUniversityofStAndrews, showcasing her passion for ideas and dialogue across cultures.
In 2016, she attended the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in New York for a specialised Video Journalism Workshop, sharpening her visual storytelling skills and deepening her understanding of global media ethics.
Professional Journey of Yousra Elbagir
Early Beginnings and Freelance Work
Yousra’s journalism career started early, marked by internships and freelance opportunities across major global outlets. She interned with Al-Sudani Newspaper in Khartoum in 2012, where she reported on Sudan’s post-secession economic climate under restrictive censorship. Her determination to deliver unbiased, truthful stories despite these challenges became the hallmark of her career.
By 2013, she gained experience with CNN Nairobi, where she assisted in major interviews—including those with Bill and Chelsea Clinton—and published pieces on urban development and conservation issues in East Africa. She also completed a News Internship at Thomson Reuters in 2014, conducting research on asset management trends and contributing to financial reporting.
These formative years helped her develop a strong grasp of both economic journalism and humanitarian storytelling, positioning her as a cross-disciplinary reporter able to merge business, politics, and people-centred narratives.
Rise to International Recognition
From 2015 to 2018, Yousra worked as Content Manager at Elephant Media, a Sudanese production house known for partnering with global outlets such as The Guardian Africa Network and CNN International. There, she scripted, narrated, and produced documentaries that illuminated hidden stories of resilience and reform in Africa. Her content for UNICEF and Amanpour on CNN International underscored her ability to humanise complex issues.
In 2017, she joined The Guardian Newspaper as a freelance writer, followed by contributions to Reuters, Financial Times, The Huffington Post, and CNN. Her pieces ranged from political transitions in Africa to youth activism, showcasing her unique blend of anthropological analysis and journalistic precision.
Yousra’s defining professional moment came with her reporting on Sudan Under Sanction, a social media campaign she launched to expose how US sanctions affected ordinary Sudanese citizens. This groundbreaking work earned her the 2016 Thomson Foundation Young Journalist Award, presented by the Foreign Press Association. The recognition cemented her reputation as a bold, principled journalist unafraid to challenge global power narratives.
Channel 4 News and Vice Media
In 2018, Yousra became a Freelance Correspondent for Vice News Tonight on HBO, covering diverse human-interest and political stories. Her sharp, empathic reporting style resonated with audiences, positioning her among the new generation of correspondents redefining modern storytelling.
By 2019, she joined Channel 4 News as a Reporter, where she covered the Sudanese Revolution and the evolving dynamics of post-revolutionary governance. Her coverage during this period—particularly her focus on women’s roles in the uprising—received critical acclaim for its authenticity and emotional depth.
Her short tenure at Channel 4 also included a feature on Unreported World (Season 34, Episode 7), where she investigated global issues that mainstream media often overlook.
Sky News Africa Correspondent
In May 2022, Yousra Elbagir joined Sky News as Africa Correspondent, based in London but reporting across the continent. Over the past three years, she has covered conflicts, humanitarian crises, and social change across Sudan, South Sudan, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Her reporting during the 2023 Sudanese conflict stands out as some of the most courageous and compassionate journalism of recent times. Yousra documented the siege of Al Fashir in North Darfur, the humanitarian toll of civil war, and the resilience of families trapped between warring factions. Her report, “It is Truly Monstrous: Inside the Besieged Sudanese City Where Families Are Trapped,” became a defining piece of war correspondence.
Yousra’s hallmark is her ability to blend frontline reporting with deeply human storytelling. She is as comfortable interviewing displaced mothers in conflict zones as she is analysing geopolitical strategies on live television.
Writing, Voice, and Values
Yousra describes herself as an “Anthro-journo”—a fusion of anthropology and journalism. This term perfectly encapsulates her philosophy: to observe, interpret, and narrate the human condition with cultural sensitivity. Her writing and broadcasting are rooted in contextual storytelling, where empathy meets evidence.
Her mission is not merely to report events but to question narratives, challenge stereotypes, and represent Africans as agents of their own stories rather than passive subjects of tragedy.
Yousra often says that journalism should “push counter-narratives” — offering complexity where simplification dominates. Whether reporting on migration, climate change, or conflict, she approaches each story with rigour, compassion, and an insistence on dignity.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout her career, Yousra Elbagir has received multiple honours and accolades:
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Thomson Foundation Young Journalist Award (2016) – recognising her outstanding reporting on the impact of sanctions in Sudan.
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Foreign Press Association Award (2016) – for her commitment to social justice and fearless investigative work.
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Dean’s List 2014/2015 – awarded by the University of St Andrews for academic excellence.
Her work has also been featured in The Guardian, CNN, Reuters, Financial Times, Vice News, and Sky News.
Social Media Presence
On Instagram (@yousraelbagir), Yousra shares glimpses of her fieldwork, cultural experiences, and moments of reflection. Her posts often include behind-the-scenes footage from war zones and humanitarian missions, highlighting both the danger and purpose of frontline journalism.
On Twitter (X), where she has over 134,000 followers, she engages in real-time updates, human rights advocacy, and journalistic discussions. Her presence on social media exemplifies transparency, courage, and connection with a global audience.
Personal Life
Yousra Elbagir maintains a relatively private personal life. She was born on March 30, but her exact year of birth remains undisclosed. She divides her time between London and Africa, depending on her reporting assignments.
Although much of her personal life is kept off-camera, her family’s influence is undeniable. Her elder sister, Nima Elbagir, is a senior international correspondent for CNN, and together they represent a remarkable lineage of Sudanese women redefining global journalism.
Yousra Elbagir’s Legacy and Vision
What sets Yousra apart is not just her talent, but her integrity. She has transformed field reporting into a form of activism—one that gives power back to the people whose stories she tells. Her journalism is guided by ethics, accuracy, and empathy.
As conflicts reshape Africa’s political landscape, Yousra’s work remains essential in ensuring that local realities are neither simplified nor silenced. She symbolises a new generation of African correspondents—multilingual, multicultural, and unapologetically authentic.
Conclusion
Yousra Elbagir is more than a journalist; she is a cultural bridge, humanitarian voice, and fearless chronicler of truth. From Khartoum to London, her career reflects the transformative power of storytelling rooted in empathy and evidence.
Through her commitment to honest journalism, she continues to inspire aspiring reporters worldwide—particularly young African women—proving that the truth, told bravely and beautifully, still has the power to change the world.
