The African Union (AU) has called on journalists across the continent to take ownership of the African story, positioning the media as a bridge between the institution and its 1.4 billion citizens.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the AU Media Fellowship (AUMF) study tour at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, the AU Deputy Chairperson, H.E. Monique Nsanzabaganwa (DCP Haddadi), highlighted the transformative power of informed reporting in driving continental development.
A Shared Continental Journey
The Deputy Chairperson emphasized that the success of Agenda 2063 Africa’s blueprint for transforming the continent into a global powerhouse depends heavily on how it is communicated to the public. She noted that the media is the primary tool for turning policy into a shared continental journey.
“The future of Africa’s narrative is in African hands. Through powerful, informed storytelling, the media can connect citizens to the AU and turn the aspirations of Agenda 2063 into a shared continental journey,” H.E. Nsanzabaganwa stated.
Strengthening the Media Ecosystem
The study tour served as a strategic engagement between the AU and Cohort 3.0 of the Fellowship, which comprises 22 fellows representing 18 African countries. The program is designed to provide journalists with unprecedented access to the Union’s inner workings, ensuring that continental priorities are reported with depth, accuracy, and context.
During her engagement with the fellows, Nsanzabaganwa underscored that the Fellowship acts as a strategic platform to bridge the gap between high-level policy and the everyday lives of Africans. She urged the cohort to make the work of the Union more accessible and relevant to the grassroots level.
By equipping journalists with technical knowledge and direct access to AU leadership, the Union aims to foster a media ecosystem capable of challenging external stereotypes and presenting a nuanced, self-determined African identity.
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