Jean-Alexander "Sacha" Ntivyihabwa is an author, producer, and, since 2008, managing director of Signed Media in Hamburg. The company develops and produces award-winning serialized TV formats (including Arte / “Tracks”), documentaries (such as “Nigerias glanzvolle Geschichte”, TV premiere on NDR/Arte, July 12, 2025), and fiction series (“Country Queen”, Arte / ZDF / Netflix / BMZ).
He began his career in the film and television industry at Me, Myself & Eye Film und TV Produktion, where from 2000 to 2008 he worked as a writer and executive producer, overseeing the creation of numerous television formats (including for MTV, VH1, Pop 2000, Tracks). In addition to his great passion for music, his current work at Signed Media focuses on African and Afro-diasporic societies and cultures.
Jean-Alexander "Sacha" Ntivyihabwa grew up in Bujumbura, Burundi, and Düsseldorf. He studied African Studies, History, and Ethnology in Hamburg and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. His master’s thesis was titled: “Suaheli-Dichtung zwischen deutscher Kolonialmacht und afrikanischem Widerstand”.
Following the success of the fiction series “Country Queen” (including a Grimme Award nomination), Signed Media is working closely with Ravi Karmalker (Good Karma, Fiction International Cologne) on the development of further series. These are planned as international co-productions with partners in various African countries.
