AfDB punts annual media prize
Aimed at promoting balanced reporting
Dr Akinwumi Adesina, president of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, announced the creation of an Annual Africa Media Prize to recognize and highlight the work of African journalists, correspondents and media houses that showcase the continent's achievements and progress.This initiative, developed in collaboration with AllAfrica Media and African financial institutions, aims to foster positive reporting on Africa’s developments.
During a keynote address at a media leaders' summit convened by AllAfrica Media in Nairobi, Kenya, Adesina emphasised the need for Africa to control its narrative and promote its investment opportunities, which are often overlooked by Western media. He suggested that the AfDB, Africa Import-Export Bank, and other regional financial institutions should collaborate to support the creation of a globally respected African media company to better represent Africa’s news.
The summit, themed “Re-engineering African Media in Times of Critical Transformation,” brought together over 300 stakeholders including media owners, government officials, corporate leaders, academics, civil society members, and development partners. The focus was on discussing the role of media in shaping Africa’s future and promoting positive news about the continent’s accomplishments.
Adesina highlighted the media’s crucial role in being fair, objective, and investigative while also acting as a catalyst for development. He called for the establishment of a joint repository of verified stories and content to make it easier to share Africa’s achievements. Additionally, he pledged that the AfDB, along with partners and African financial institutions, would support the establishment of African Journalists’ and Correspondents’ Fellowships to build the capacities of media professionals in Africa.
He concluded by urging media leaders to actively promote Africa's positive stories, likening their role to that of "vuvuzelas for Africa."