MTN Group, the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and the African Editors Forum (TAEF) have unveiled the Pan-African Media Innovation Programme (MIP), a continental initiative designed to equip journalists with the skills, tools, and networks to navigate an increasingly complex information environment.
The programme, launched today at MTN’s Innovation Centre in Johannesburg, expands on the MTN Nigeria MIP introduced in 2022. It now extends the model across MTN’s African markets with a certified 12-week curriculum delivered independently by UJ and TAEF. The training combines online academic modules with in-person immersion in Johannesburg, covering areas such as digital transformation, media sustainability, ethics and law, entrepreneurship, and the impact of emerging technologies.
Participants will also engage in newsroom visits, industry masterclasses and innovation projects that connect academic learning with practice. The first cohort of fellows is scheduled to begin in 2026.
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.”
A spokesperson of UJ added that the programme combines theory with practice. “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.”
The African Editors Forum also welcomed the collaboration, saying, “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.”
As Africa grapples with rising levels of misinformation, disinformation, and fragile media business models, strengthening resilience in the media sector, organisers said, is critical to advancing the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which prioritises inclusive, informed, and democratic societies.
