MTN Expands Media Innovation Programme (MIP) to Future-Proof African Journalists

MTN Launches Pan-African Media Innovation Programme to Future-Proof African Journalism

Following the success of its Nigerian edition, the MTN Group has officially expanded its Media Innovation Programme (MIP) into a truly continental fellowship. The Pan-African MIP aims to equip journalists and editors across Africa with the critical skills, tools, and networks needed to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving digital age.

The launch, held in Johannesburg, marked a significant commitment to strengthening the quality and integrity of African journalism.

A Crucial Investment in Information Integrity

The new 12-week program is anchored by the University of Johannesburg (UJ) as the academic lead, with vital contributions from the African Editors Forum (TAEF). It combines rigorous academic modules, industry immersion, innovation labs, and mentorship to bolster digital storytelling across the continent.

Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer at MTN Group, Nompilo Morafo, stressed the urgency of the initiative.

“Information today flows instantly, often without filters. People no longer wait for a press release… they look online, on social platforms, where disinformation is just as present as credible reporting,” Morafo stated. “A programme like this ensures we prepare the next generation of African journalists to lead with integrity, accuracy and trust.”

MTN Group views this program as integral to its vision of enabling the benefits of a modern connected life, a vision that cannot be realized without strengthening the credibility of information flows across Africa.

An Afrocentric, Future-Ready Curriculum

Professor Prinola Govenden, Associate Professor at the University of Johannesburg, highlighted the necessity of preparing African journalists for a landscape being reshaped by artificial intelligence (AI), deepfakes, and multinational tech platforms.

The Pan-African curriculum will be grounded in:

• African Case Studies: Ensuring relevance to local contexts.

• Afrocentric Perspectives: Reframing global narratives from an African viewpoint.

• Practical Industry Exposure: Equipping journalists with future-ready skills in digital storytelling and technology reporting.

Churchill Otieno, President of the African Editors Forum (TAEF), described the launch as a pivotal step in reclaiming Africa’s agency in global storytelling. "This initiative is about reframing Africa’s story on Africa’s terms,” he affirmed.

The inaugural cohort will welcome 73 fellows from across the continent, with modules covering essential areas such as media entrepreneurship, technology, and policy reporting. The initiative has already attracted support from partners like Standard Bank, signaling a broader movement toward media sustainability.