By Gabs Mia
Nairobi, Kenya: In a landmark move, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, the President of the African Development Bank Group, has propelled a transformative initiative. The introduction of the Annual Africa Media Prize stands as a beacon of recognition and appreciation for the exceptional work of African journalists, correspondents, and media houses.
This prestigious award aims to celebrate those who shine a light on Africa’s remarkable achievements and significant progress, showcasing the continent’s vibrant potential and resilience to the world.
Adesina, while delivering a keynote address at a summit convened by AllAfrica Media, announced that the African Development Bank, in collaboration with AllAfrica Media and African financial institutions, would be establishing a prize to incentivize and recognize more positive media coverage of developments in Africa. This initiative aims to encourage more accurate and balanced reporting of the continent’s progress and advancements.
“Africa must shape its own narrative, and not depend on what others think about it or the perspectives they prefer to share about it, its achievements, and opportunities… Positive stories of African investment opportunities need to be well showcased, as they unfortunately do not get sufficient coverage, if any at all, in western media,” Dr Adesina declared.
He also proposed that the African Development Bank, Africa Import-Export Bank, and all regional financial institutions pool resources to support the emergence of a globally respected African media company that will position the news of Africa to the world.
At the summit with the theme “Re-engineering African Media in Times of Critical Transformation,” saw more than 300 African media owners, operators, government officials, corporate leaders, academics, civil society champions, and development partners came together.
They gathered to discuss the media business and its crucial role in shaping Africa’s future. One of the proposals made was for the African Development Bank, the Africa Import-Export Bank, and regional financial institutions to pool resources. This would support the emergence of a globally respected African media company that could effectively communicate news from Africa to the world.
“The media has a critically important role, by being fair, objective, inquisitive, investigative yes, but also by being a catalyst for development, and promoting positive news about tangible African accomplishments, achievements, and developments,” he said in his address.
Dr. Adesina also called on development institutions in Africa to set up a joint repository of verified and standardized stories, videos and content that will make it easier to aggregate and write stories on what is being achieved in Africa.
Dr. Adesina also urged African development organizations to create a joint repository for storing verified and standardized stories and video content. This approach will simplify the process of aggregating and composing narratives about Africa’s accomplishments.
In collaboration with partners and African financial institutions, the African Development Bank pledged its support for establishing the African Journalists’ and Correspondents’ Fellowships. This initiative aims to enhance the capabilities and strengthen the capacities of journalists and correspondents working in Africa, thereby promoting a more informed and well-equipped media landscape on the continent.
“Together let us continue to promote Africa. I call on you as leaders of the media, become the vuvuzelas for Africa! Tell Africa’s positive stories,” he urged his audience of media executives from across the continent.
