MTN Group, in collaboration with the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and the African Editors Forum (TAEF), has officially launched the Pan-African Media Innovation Programme (MIP), a continent-wide initiative designed to strengthen the capacity, innovation, and resilience of African media.
The programme, unveiled at MTN’s Innovation Centre in Johannesburg, builds on the success of the MTN Nigeria MIP introduced in 2022, extending the model across MTN’s footprint. The continental rollout seeks to equip journalists with the skills, tools, and networks needed to navigate an evolving and increasingly complex information landscape.
The Pan-African MIP will run as a certified 12-week curriculum, independently delivered by UJ and TAEF. It combines online academic modules with in-person immersion in Johannesburg, exposing participants to a blend of academic rigour and newsroom realities. Core areas of study will include digital transformation, sustainability of independent media, media law and ethics, entrepreneurship, and the role of emerging technologies in the information ecosystem.
In addition to coursework, participants will engage in industry masterclasses, newsroom visits, and hands-on innovation projects, designed to bridge theory with practical newsroom applications.
The initiative arrives at a crucial moment as Africa, like much of the world, grapples with challenges such as the rise of fake news, coordinated disinformation campaigns, and fragile media business models. By focusing on resilience and innovation, the programme directly supports the African Union’s Agenda 2063 goal of inclusive, informed, and democratic societies.
Nompilo Morafo, MTN Group’s Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, underscored the company’s commitment to strengthening Africa’s information systems.
“Africa’s digital future depends on both the infrastructure we build and the strength of the institutions that foster trust and accountability. Through the Pan-African MIP, we are investing in media capacity and innovation alongside respected academic and editorial partners. Together we aim to strengthen the information ecosystems that are essential for resilient democracies and inclusive growth,” she said.
A spokesperson from the University of Johannesburg noted that the partnership would ground the programme in academic excellence while remaining practical for newsroom realities.
“Equipping journalists with the skills to navigate disruption and build sustainable models is critical for the future of the profession,” the spokesperson said.
Representing TAEF, a spokesperson welcomed the initiative as timely and necessary:
“Independent media are indispensable to democratic governance, and partnerships such as this provide a pathway to greater resilience, collaboration, and trust.”
The launch was also marked by the participation of Nigerian journalists from the MIP Alumni Association, symbolising the transition of the programme from a national to a continental platform.
The first cohort of Pan-African MIP Fellows will commence training in 2026, setting the stage for a new generation of journalists empowered to strengthen media independence and democratic discourse across Africa.
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