MTN Pan-African Media Innovation Programme launched in collaboration with the University of Johannesburg and The African Editors Forum

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MTN Group, in partnership with the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and the African Editors Forum (TAEF), today launched the PanAfrican Media Innovation Programme (MIP), a continental initiative to equip
journalists with the skills, tools, and networks required to navigate a rapidly changing
information environment.
The programme builds on the success of the MTN Nigeria MIP, established in 2022,
and now extends the model to media practitioners across MTN’s footprint. It offers a
certified 12-week curriculum, delivered independently by UJ and TAEF, which
combines online academic modules with in-person immersion in Johannesburg.
Participants will explore digital transformation, the sustainability of independent
media, ethics and law, entrepreneurship, and the impact of platforms and emerging
technologies on the information ecosystem. Industry masterclasses, newsroom
visits, and innovation projects will connect academic learning to practice.
The launch comes at a time when Africa, like the rest of the world, faces rising levels
of fake news, coordinated disinformation, and fragile business models.
Strengthening media resilience is critical to advancing the African Union’s Agenda
2063 goal of inclusive, informed, and democratic societies. For MTN, the initiative also
aligns with its role as a trusted partner to the countries where it operates, ensuring
that connectivity supports not only digital access but also the institutions that
safeguard trust.
Speaking at the launch, Nompilo Morafo, MTN Group Chief Sustainability and
Corporate Affairs Officer said, “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.”
UJ spokesperson added, “Our partnership ensures that the programme is rooted in
academic rigour while responsive to the realities of newsrooms. Equipping journalists
with the skills to navigate disruption and build sustainable models is critical for the
future of the profession.”
African Editors Forum spokesperson said, “Editors across Africa welcome this
initiative. Independent media are indispensable to democratic governance, and
partnerships such as this provide a pathway to greater resilience, collaboration, and
trust.”