MTN Group, the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and The African Editors Forum (TAEF) have welcomed the first cohort of 42 journalists, editors and media practitioners into the Pan-African Media Innovation Programme.
The announcement was made on Monday, August 31st, 2026. The programme’s in-person activities are taking place in Johannesburg, South Africa, while its online academic component is delivered through the University of Johannesburg.
Participants come from 10 African countries: South Africa, Nigeria, Rwanda, Eswatini, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, South Sudan, Zambia and Benin. They represent print, broadcast, digital and independent news organisations.
The certified programme is designed to help media professionals respond to rapid changes in journalism and the wider information environment. Its curriculum covers digital transformation, innovation, media sustainability, entrepreneurship, ethics, policy reporting and emerging technologies.
The initiative builds on MTN’s Media Innovation Programme in Nigeria, which was established in 2022 before being expanded into a pan-African platform. Through academic learning, industry engagement and practical projects, the programme seeks to strengthen the capacity of African newsrooms.
The Johannesburg study activities include engagement with leaders from academia, business, government and the media. These sessions are intended to connect classroom learning with the practical challenges facing modern journalism.
The organisers say the programme will help participants develop future-ready skills while encouraging collaboration among journalists across the continent. Such networks could support stronger reporting, innovation and knowledge-sharing between African media institutions.
As newsrooms face financial pressure, technological disruption and growing concerns over misinformation, initiatives that invest in journalism capacity are becoming increasingly important. The MTN–UJ–TAEF partnership places innovation and professional development at the centre of that response.
Africa Presents is a Pan-African digital magazine and monthly publication covering politics, business, economy, culture, tech, and the stories shaping Africa and its diaspora. Visit africapresents.com and follow @AfricaPresents for daily coverage and monthly themed magazine editions.
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