Billy Ntaote
GRANTEE
Billy Ntaote is a Lesotho, Africa-based investigative journalist, press freedom activist, and founder of the MNN Centre for Investigative Journalism, a nonprofit dedicated to exposing corruption, defending human rights, and holding power accountable.
He previously served as a senior political reporter at Africa Media Holdings, covering Lesotho’s politics for the Lesotho Times and Sunday Express from 2013 to 2017. He began his career at Public Eye in 2009.
Ntaote's international reporting covered environmental justice, debt, and extractive industries, and he co-produced a documentary on hunger in Lesotho.
He holds a bachelor's in political science and public administration from the National University of Lesotho. He has also completed training in investigative journalism, including a fellowship with the AmaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism.
Ntaote is a Mandela Washington fellow in the U.S. Young African Leaders Initiative. He completed a professional development program with Voice of America’s English-to-Africa service via the Presidential Precinct (William and Mary and the University of Virginia).
Ntaote has also served as secretary-general of the Lesotho chapter of the Media Institute for Southern Africa.
