African media plays a powerful and transformative role in strengthening citizen and diaspora awareness, engagement, and ownership of the African Union and its development agenda. Through accessible, people-centred storytelling, African journalists and content creators bring continental policies closer to the people, bridging the gap between institutions and communities, deepening public understanding, promoting accountability, and advancing Agenda 2063.

In line with this commitment, the African Union Commission’s Information and Communication Directorate (AU ICD) presents the 22 Fellows of the African Union Media Fellowship (AUMF) Cohort 3.0, representing 18 African countries and reflecting the continent’s diversity, dynamism, and rising media excellence.

The Cohort 3.0 AU Media Fellows  are; Abdillah Kemba (Comoros), Anis Seif Eddine Belmili (Algeria), Ayele Addis Ambelu (Ethiopia), Bongekile Filana (South Africa), Cynthia Areh (Nigeria), Elvy Gotiene (Congo), Emmanuel Ibukun Akindubuwa (Nigeria), Esther Ewune Otto (Cameroon),  Isatou Keita (Gambia), Jacky Habib (Egypt), Justina Matandiko (Zambia), Lalaina Randriarimanana (Madagascar), Lourdes Walusala (Kenya), Mamer Abraham Kuot (South Sudan),  Mapule Motsopa (Lesotho), Michael Dewornu (Ghana), Oussama Othman (Tunisia), Salome Gregory (Tanzania), Tawanda Forgive Dube (Zimbabwe), Tina Mehnpaine (Liberia), Tizita Girma (Ethiopia), Zodidi Mhlana (South Africa).

“Selected from over 100,000 applicants, the 22 Fellows embody the bold vision and excellence of a continent shaping its own narrative. We applaud their achievement and are confident that their work will strengthen public discourse, reinforce accountability, and advance Africa’s voice under Agenda 2063,” said Wynne Musabayana, AU Head of Communication Division, in welcoming the Fellows.

As part of its collaboration with the African Union Commission, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is supporting five (5) of the 22 Fellows under the newly introduced Public Health track.

Margaret Muigai Edwin, Africa-CDC Director of Communication and Public Information, congratulated the cohort and emphasised the importance of credible journalism in advancing public health, stating, “At a time when accurate, solutions-driven journalism is more important than ever, these Fellows represent the future of African storytelling. Through the public health track, their reporting will bridge policy and communities, elevate evidence-based dialogue, and strengthen trust in the institutions working to protect and improve health across the continent.”

Over the 16-month programme, Fellows will collaborate across borders and receive structured mentorship and advanced professional development to deliver bold, solutions-driven journalism. They will also benefit from the guidance of distinguished media leaders, including Anita Eboigbe, Chief Operating Officer of Big Cabal Media; David Mukholi, Veteran Journalist and National Independence Medal Recipient; and Simmi Areff, Group Head of Audio and Video at Arena Holdings.

Reflecting on the strategic significance of the AU Media Fellowship for the continent’s digital and media landscape, Franz von Weizsaecker, Sector Coordinator for Sustainable Economic Growth and Head of Programme: Harmonised and Inclusive Digital and Data Policies in Africa (DataCipation) at the GIZ African Union Office, notes: ‘The AU Media Fellowship advances Africa’s digital innovation and transformation by empowering storytellers to share authentic development narratives. By leveraging emerging technologies, the programme strengthens media capacity to reframe perceptions of the continent, promote Africa’s digital and narrative sovereignty, and support the priorities of the African Union Digital Transformation Strategy 2020–2030 and Agenda 2063 for a more integrated and prosperous Africa. We are pleased by the programme’s growth and sustainability since its inception and warmly congratulate the new cohort joining a vibrant community of Pan-African digital storytelling alumni.’

The Fellowship programme provides a platform for African journalists and content creators to strengthen their capacity to reframe Africa's narrative and advance development-focused journalism through emerging technologies. The programme aligns with the 2017 STC-CICT resolution to enhance media engagement in promoting Agenda 2063. It supports the AU Digital Transformation Strategy 2020–2030, which emphasises innovation and adaptive digital transformation to achieve Africa's development goals.

Pascal Delisle, Head of Political, Press & Information Section at the EU Delegation to AU, underscores how “the European Union is proud to stand by AUC and Fellows in this capacity building journey, ultimately shaping more positive and complete stories, developing a network of close collaboration, and tackling the concerning gap between citizens and the AU and EU institutions.”

“This is totally aligned with the EU-Africa partnership. The EU is a partner Africa can rely on. It is crucial that a new generation of African storytellers can get a deeper understanding of the AU and of the EU and their role in promoting Africa’s peace and prosperity. The shared goals of promoting democracy, good governance, and free and capable media set up a strong foundation for our continuous partnership”, he added.

The African Union Media Fellowship programme thrives through partnerships with media institutions, AU organs, Member States, and development partners, fostering Pan-African media collaboration, strengthening African-led storytelling, and amplifying authentic African narratives in support of Agenda 2063.

Note to Editors

The African Union Media Fellowship Programme (AUMF)  comprises 60 journalists and content creators from across Africa working in audio-visual, print, and digital media. As a flagship initiative of the AU Information and Communication Directorate (ICD), the programme strengthens African media by promoting ethical journalism, challenging dominant narratives, and fostering collaboration among media professionals for cross-border storytelling, while supporting African storytellers in shaping the continent’s narrative in line with Agenda 2063. In this cohort3.0, we collaborated with Africa CDC to introduce a dedicated Health Track aimed at strengthening reporting on public health issues across the continent.

The AUMF programme is supported by GIZ AU Office on behalf of BMZ and the European Union Delegation to the African Union.

For further information, please contact:

Aziz Mshangama | Senior Communication Officer, Directorate of Information and Communication| African Union Commission| Email  mshangamaa@africanunion.org

Faith Adhiambo | AUMF Coordinator |Directorate of Information and Communication| African Union Commission |E-mail ochiengj@africanunion.org