Compliance is the“ Invisible Backbone” of Media Start-Ups

Media start-ups across Africa must treat compliance not as a bureaucratic burden but as the foundation for credibility, sustainability and access to funding. This was the central message from a webinar hosted by the fraymedia Foundation, where speakers stressed that without strong administrative systems, even the most creative enterprises risk being excluded from opportunities.

“Compliance builds credibility and trust. It builds a business that can scale. It unlocks access to funding and partnerships, and it lays the foundation for long-term sustainability,” said Paula Fray, CEO of the fraymedia Foundation and moderator of the discussion. “I know that compliance isn’t the sexy part of media work. The sexy part is telling the stories… But compliance is so critical.”

Minimum Requirements

The panelists agreed that every entrepreneur should begin with the basics. “Certainly getting your business registered, and then getting a bank account… and any sort of tax certificate,” advised Zimbabwean media entrepreneur Nigel Mugamu.

He warned that donors and international agencies are “fastidious when it comes to paperwork”. Without documents such as a tax clearance certificate, he said, “in their minds, your business isn’t registered, you don’t have a bank account, and you are just an individual.”

Fraycollege Finance Manager Mbali Nhlengethwa echoed the importance of this first step: “Even freelancers struggle with their tax clearance… that part, especially the taxes, they need to be in order.”

Building Credibility with Funders

The conversation repeatedly returned to the link between compliance and access to funding. While many funders start by wanting at least three years of financial history, Fray stressed that funders also look at evidence of responsible management at every level.

“Go in at the level at which you're at,” she said. “Don’t be applying for $200,000 grants when you're just starting up. There are grants for $20,000. Get that small grant, show that you can actually deliver… and then grow from there.”

Mugamu encouraged entrepreneurs to document even modest revenue as proof of activity. “Have your accounts ready, just for yourself… even if it’s minimal money, it just shows that we’re doing something. This is what we’ve generated on our own back. We need you to help us with just growing capacity, just to take us to the next stage.”

Structure and Organisation

Speakers underlined that compliance is also about internal systems. “You can’t scale chaos,” Mugamu said. “If it’s chaotic, it’s not going to work. Just having all your bank account documents, all that stuff in a secure place… make sure that they’re available, in soft copy. Some of these tender documents have a quick turnaround.”

He recommended using shared calendars and team systems: “There’s a grant report that’s due, all that compliance stuff is really important. Keeping the lights on is a really, really important part of any media organization.”

Nhlengethwa added that good compliance practices provide reassurance during high-pressure moments. “Our CEO and some of the project managers were going through the supporting documents, and they were shouting, ‘Mbali, do we have this? ’And I’m always calm, like, no, we have it, why do we worry?… It will definitely give you peace of mind.”

The Invisible Backbone

Closing the session, Fray summed up the theme: “Media might be our passion, but we’re trying to build a sustainable business. Compliance is the invisible backbone of your media business. Without it, your creativity has no support. With it, you can stand taller, attract partners, and scale your impact.”

The webinar formed part of the fraymedia Foundation’s ongoing skills-building programme to support sustainable media organisations across Africa. WATCH the full webinar below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_T093f7oa3o

10 compliance lessons for entrepreneurs

Panelists at the Overcoming Compliance Hurdles – Practical Tools for Media Start-Ups webinar - Paula Fray, Nigel Mugamu and Mbali Nhlengethwa, shared the following 10 lessons for entrepreneurs.

1. Start with the Basics

Register your business, open a bank account, and obtain a tax clearance certificate. These are the minimum compliance steps to be taken seriously by funders and partners.

2. Project Professionalism

Even as a small business, create structures—emails, documentation, and branding—that make you appear established. As Nigel Mugamu put it: “You almost need to look bigger than you really are… fake it till you make it.”

3. Keep Taxes in Order

Whether you’re a company, freelancer, or contractor, tax compliance is non-negotiable. As Mbali Nhlengethwa noted: “Even freelancers struggle with their tax clearance… that part, especially the taxes, they need to be in order.”

4. Build Credibility Step by Step

Start small. Apply for smaller grants first, prove you can deliver, and then grow into larger opportunities. “Get that small grant, show that you can actually deliver… and then grow from there,” said Paula Fray.

5. Document Your Efforts

Even minimal revenue counts as evidence of activity. Keep accounts and financial records ready to demonstrate momentum and seriousness.

6. Consistency Builds Trust

Funders want to see regular, reliable output. Sporadic publishing or engagement undermines credibility. “It can’t be, ‘I published last year in August and now I’m applying for a grant,’” warned Mugamu.

7. Choose Your Structure Wisely

Whether private company or non-profit, select the registration path that fits your resources and goals. What matters most is long-term sustainability and revenue generation.

8. Use Compliance to Access Incentives

Schemes like South Africa’s Employment Tax Incentive (ETI) can ease costs if you hire young staff. Understanding these systems can strengthen your business model.

9. Organise and Plan Ahead

Keep compliance documents in one place—both physical and digital—for quick turnaround on tenders and grants. “You can’t scale chaos,” Mugamu reminded participants.

10. See Compliance as an Investment, Not a Burden

Compliance frees you to focus on creativity, builds trust with funders, and positions you for growth. “Compliance is the invisible backbone of your media business,” said Fray.