By Juliet Umeh
MTN Group has announced the launch of its Pan-African Media Innovation Programme, MIP, a first-of-its-kind fellowship designed to equip African journalists and editors with the tools, networks, and digital capabilities required to thrive in a rapidly evolving information landscape.
The initiative, anchored by the University of Johannesburg, UJ, and supported by the African Editors Forum, TAEF, expands on a Nigerian pilot to become a continent-wide platform. The 12-week fellowship will blend academic modules, industry immersion, and innovation labs, preparing participants to tackle challenges ranging from AI-driven misinformation to the dominance of global tech platforms.
MTN Group’s Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, Nompilo Morafo, said: “Journalism is under pressure from deepfakes, disinformation, and the accelerated speed of information flow.
“Our mission of enabling a modern connected life must go hand in hand with ensuring the credibility and trustworthiness of the information that flows through it. This programme ensures African journalists can lead the digital transition with accuracy and integrity.”
The fellowship will also emphasize innovation and entrepreneurship in media, equipping participants with practical skills in digital storytelling, encrypted communications, fact-checking, and cross-border collaboration.
According to Professor Prinola Govenden, Associate Professor of Communication and Media at UJ, the curriculum will be grounded in Afrocentric perspectives.
“Our aim is to ensure African journalists are not just reacting to global media trends but shaping them. By combining African case studies with practical exposure, we are creating a pipeline of future-ready media leaders,” she said.
The first cohort will include 73 fellows drawn from across Africa, with mentorship opportunities, study tours, and job placements embedded into the programme. MTN’s sponsorship will also extend bursary support to first-generation students, reflecting its commitment to both education and media resilience.
“This initiative is about reclaiming Africa’s narrative in the digital age,” added Churchill Otieno, President of TAEF. “We want journalism on the continent to be both a mirror of our societies and a map that guides our collective future.”
The Pan-African MIP marks MTN’s latest investment in digital ecosystem building, positioning journalism as a key enabler of Africa’s growth and stability in an era defined by technological disruption.
