President of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina, has announced the creation of an Annual Africa Media Prize by the development finance institution, to recognise and profile African journalists, correspondents and media houses that showcase Africa’s achievements and progress.
Adesina, who gave this hint in his keynote speech on Thursday at a media leaders’ summit in Kenya convened by AllAfrica Media, said the bank would work with the AllAfrica Media organisation and African financial institutions to establish the prize as part of efforts to promote more positive reporting of developments on the continent.
He said: “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.
“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
“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”, Adesina added.
Adesina proposed that the AfDB, Africa Import-Export Bank (Afreximbank), and all regional financial institutions should pool resources to support the emergence of a globally respected African media company that will position the news of Africa to the world.
Similarly, he also pledged that the bank, working with partners and the African financial institutions would also help establish the African Journalists’ and Correspondents’ Fellowships to help build and strengthen the capacities of journalists and correspondents working in Africa.
The development finance banker urged development institutions in Africa to set up a joint repository of verified and standardised stories, videos and content that will make it easier to aggregate and write stories on what is being achieved in Africa.
The summit with the theme ‘Re-engineering African Media in Times of Critical Transformation’ was attended by over 300 African media owners and operators, government officials, corporate leaders, academics, civil society champions, and development partners to discuss the business of media and the critical role they should must play in shaping Africa’s future.
