Yousra Elbagir: The Sudanese–British Journalist Shaping Africa’s Global Narrative

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Yousra Elbagir is a Sudanese–British journalist and writer widely recognised for her fearless reporting, deep regional insight, and anthropological approach to storytelling. As the Africa Correspondent for Sky News, she has become one of the most authoritative voices covering political conflict, humanitarian crises, and social change across the African continent. Her work combines rigorous journalism with cultural sensitivity, making her reporting both impactful and credible on the global stage.

Born in 1992 in Khartoum, Sudan, Yousra Elbagir is 33 years old as of 2025. She holds dual nationality — British and Sudanese — and this bicultural background has played a significant role in shaping her worldview and journalistic perspective.

Yousra Elbagir’s Early Life and Background

Family and Upbringing

Yousra was born into a family deeply rooted in journalism and public life. Her father is a Sudanese journalist and politician, while her mother worked as his business partner and publisher. Growing up around newsrooms, political discussion, and publishing gave her early exposure to the power of media in shaping public opinion and holding authority to account.

Raised between Sudan and the United Kingdom, she developed a strong understanding of both Western and African socio-political contexts. This dual exposure later became one of her strongest professional assets.

Education and Academic Foundation

University of St Andrews

Yousra studied at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, where she earned an MA (Hons) in Social Anthropology between 2011 and 2015. During her time there, she was actively involved in student initiatives, including TEDxUniversityofStAndrews, and graduated with academic distinction, earning a place on the Dean’s List (2014–2015).

Her background in anthropology is central to her journalistic identity and is why she is often described as an “anthro-journo” — a journalist who applies anthropological methods to reporting.

Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism

In 2016, she further refined her skills by completing a Video Journalism workshop at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in New York. This training strengthened her ability to tell complex stories visually, a skill that later became central to her television reporting.

Yousra Elbagir’s Journalism Career

Early Career and Internships

She began her journalism career early, undertaking internships and placements with major global news organisations. She worked as a News Intern at Thomson Reuters in 2014, where she gained experience in financial and world news reporting. Earlier, she completed a CNN work placement in Nairobi, assisting with high-profile interviews and producing published stories for CNN.com.

She also worked as a News Intern at Al-Sudani Newspaper in Khartoum, reporting under strict censorship conditions during a critical period in Sudan’s history.

Freelance Writing and Reporting

Between 2013 and 2019, Yousra Elbagir built an impressive freelance portfolio. She wrote for leading international outlets including:

The Guardian
CNN
Reuters
Financial Times
The Huffington Post

Her writing focused on politics, culture, identity, and human rights, particularly in Sudan and the wider African region. During this time, she also contributed photography and multimedia content, strengthening her reputation as a versatile journalist.

Elephant Media and Documentary Work

From 2015 to 2018, Yousra Elbagir worked as Content Manager at Elephant Media, a Sudan-based production company partnered with The Guardian Africa Network. In this role, she scripted, narrated, and produced documentaries and awareness videos, including projects for UNICEF and international broadcasters such as CNN International’s Amanpour.

This period marked her transition from print journalism to high-impact visual storytelling.

Television Journalism and International Recognition

Channel 4 and Vice News

Yousra Elbagir’s television career gained momentum when she joined Vice News Tonight on HBO as a freelance correspondent between 2018 and 2019. She later worked as a Reporter for Channel 4 News and contributed to the acclaimed documentary series Unreported World.

Her reporting during this period was noted for its depth, narrative clarity, and focus on underreported communities.

Yousra Elbagir Sky News Africa Correspondent

In May 2022, Yousra Elbagir was appointed Africa Correspondent for Sky News, a role she continues to hold today. Based in London but reporting extensively from Africa, she covers major stories including conflict in Sudan, humanitarian emergencies, political transitions, and regional security issues.

Her Sky News reporting has been widely shared and praised for its accuracy, urgency, and ethical reporting standards.

Public Presence and Social Media

Yousra Elbagir maintains an active public presence across major platforms:

Instagram: @yousraelbagir
X (formerly Twitter): @YousraElbagir

She uses these platforms to share field reporting, analysis, and behind-the-scenes insights into journalism in conflict zones. She is also a trustee of Aux Worldview, reflecting her commitment to ethical media and global storytelling.

Personal Life and Public Information

Yousra Elbagir Age and Nationality

Born: 1992
Age: 33 years
Nationality: British and Sudanese
Birthplace: Khartoum, Sudan

Yousra Elbagir Husband

Yousra Elbagir keeps her personal life private. There is no publicly confirmed information regarding marriage or a spouse, and she has not made any public statements on this aspect of her life.

Why Yousra Elbagir Matters

Yousra Elbagir represents a new generation of journalists — globally educated, culturally fluent, and deeply rooted in local realities. Her work challenges stereotypes, centres African voices, and brings nuance to international reporting.

With her strong academic foundation, extensive field experience, and growing influence, Yousra Elbagir continues to shape how Africa is understood by global audiences.

Quick Info

Field	Details
Full Name	Yousra Elbagir
Profession	Journalist & Writer
Current Role	Africa Correspondent, Sky News
Born	1992
Age	33 years (as of 2025)
Birthplace	Khartoum, Sudan
Nationality	British, Sudanese
Education	MA (Hons) Social Anthropology, University of St Andrews
Additional Training	Video Journalism, Columbia University (2016)
Known For	Africa-focused reporting, conflict & humanitarian journalism
Languages	English, Arabic
Social Media	X: @YousraElbagir · Instagram: @yousraelbagir

Conclusion

From Khartoum to global newsrooms, Yousra Elbagir has built a remarkable career defined by integrity, depth, and fearless reporting. As a Sudanese–British journalist and Africa correspondent for Sky News, she stands as a trusted voice in international journalism and a powerful example of storytelling that truly matters.

FAQs

1. Who is Yousra Elbagir?

Yousra Elbagir is a Sudanese–British journalist and writer. She is currently the Africa Correspondent for Sky News, reporting on politics, conflict, and humanitarian issues across the African continent.

2. How old is Yousra Elbagir?

Yousra Elbagir was born in 1992, which makes her 33 years old as of 2025.

3. What is Yousra Elbagir’s educational background?

She holds an MA (Hons) in Social Anthropology from the University of St Andrews and completed a Video Journalism workshop at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in 2016.