Patrick Quarcoo

Patrick Quarcoo (born 23 May 1957), commonly known as PQ, is a Ghanaian-born, Kenya-based entrepreneur and media executive. He co-founded and was CEO of the Radio Africa Group, an East African media conglomerate operating radio, television, print, and digital platforms in Kenya and Uganda. Quarcoo received the International Recognition Award at the 2012 Ghana UK-Based Achievement Awards.

Early life and education

Quarcoo was born in Cape Coast, Ghana, into a family that valued education and print media—his grandmother told him, “Book no lies,” inspiring his lifelong passion for journalism. In 2000, he relocated to Nairobi to launch his own media venture with British journalist William Pike.

Radio Africa Group

In 2000, Quarcoo and William Pike co-founded the Radio Africa Group, headquartered in Westlands, Nairobi. Their flagship station, Kiss 100 FM, quickly became the top youth-oriented radio channel in Nairobi. Over the next decade, the group launched a series of other stations and a newspaper, The Star (Kenya). In 2014, the group entered television with Bamba TV, its free-to-air digital channel. Radio Africa also expanded regionally, co-owning Capital FM and Beat FM in Uganda.

Retirement and legacy

After 24 years at the helm, Quarcoo stepped down as CEO in June 2024 to pursue personal interests, remaining on the board as a major shareholder. Under his leadership, Radio Africa Group launched six radio stations, one newspaper, a television channel, and multiple digital platforms, solidifying its role as an East African media powerhouse.