Anniversary celebration of ANA : 10 years serving panafrican information

Africa News Agency (ANA) celebrated its 10th anniversary in Kigali with a memorable event. A day of discussions and forward-looking perspectives, this celebration brought together key figures from African journalism, institutions, and private sector representatives. The event featured three panels exploring the role of Pan-African media, institutional and private sector support, and digital transformation, culminating in a significant announcement: the launch of ANASchool, an initiative to train journalists for the professions of the future.

Being “the voice of transforming African economies”

The day began with the screening of a teaser tracing ANA’s 10 years of existence—a decade driven by a clear vision: being “the voice of transforming African economies.” Dounia Ben Mohamed, ANA’s founder and CEO, opened the discussions with a passionate speech: “ANA is much more than an agency. It is a Pan-African project driven by the conviction that African stories deserve to be told by those who live them. In 10 years, we have supported the rise of media across the continent. But this is just the beginning.”

The role of Pan-African media in a changing Africa

In the first panel, moderated by Dounia Ben Mohamed, the guests explored the responsibilities of Pan-African media in a rapidly changing continent.

Eugène Nyagahene, founder of Télé 10, reminded the audience that Pan-African media should not only inform but also play a unifying role. “They serve as bridges between Africa’s diverse cultural and economic realities,” he stated.

Mohamadou Diallo, CEO of CIOMag, emphasized the importance of sustainable business models. “Pan-African media cannot solely rely on external funding. They must innovate by diversifying revenue sources, particularly through strategic partnerships with the private sector.”

Patrick Bofunda Ilingo, Africa Director of TV5 Monde, noted that the increasing competition in the global media space demands higher quality and creativity. “African media must stand out by telling authentic stories while leveraging modern tools to reach an international audience.”

The critical role of institutions and the private sector

The second panel, moderated by Amina Ben Messaoud, ANA’s communication director, focused on institutional and private support, crucial for the development of African media.

Oria K. Vande Weghe, spokesperson for the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), highlighted that her organization strives to strengthen the capacities of African journalists. “We aim to promote training because quality journalism is indispensable for robust democracy.”

Agatesi Marie Laetitia Mugabo, founder of ISANGO TV, stressed the need for active private sector participation in modernizing the media. “As an entrepreneur, I chose to invest in this sector because it is strategic for Africa’s development. Media influence not only mindsets but also economies.”

Digital transformation: A must for African media

The third panel, moderated by Insaf Boughdiri, ANA’s editorial manager, tackled one of the most strategic topics: digital transformation.

Speakers shared compelling statistics. With over 570 million internet users in Africa and rapid annual growth in digital penetration, the continent presents a unique opportunity for media. However, challenges remain, including unequal internet access and high mobile data costs.

Aphrodice Mutangana, COO of Digital Africa, explained that digital tools are not optional but essential. “Digital transformation offers African media an unprecedented chance to reach larger and younger audiences while diversifying their formats.”

Samatar Abdi Osman, founder of the CTID in Djibouti, emphasized that this transition goes beyond technology. “It involves a complete overhaul of journalistic practices. Training skilled professionals is as important as investing in modern infrastructures.”

A key highlight of the discussion was the role of social media, providing accessible platforms for media to engage with their audiences. However, this requires clear strategies to manage algorithms and prevent misinformation.

Looking to the future: ANASchool and the 2025 vision

The day concluded with a major announcement.

Dounia Ben Mohamed, ANA’s CEO, unveiled the launch of ANASchool, an initiative aimed at training African journalists in new digital professions and promoting editorial independence. “ANASchool will be a space for learning and innovation, where journalists and all existing and emerging professions around the media ecosystem can equip themselves to meet tomorrow’s challenges,” she stated.

With its network of regional offices and correspondents across the continent, Africa News Agency (ANA) is committed to supporting African media in this evolution and being the voice of transforming economies. This celebration was not just a reflection on the past but, more importantly, a gateway to concrete initiatives for building strong and united African media.

In 10 years, ANA has proven that the continent can produce its own narratives, driven by authentic and resilient voices. The future of Pan-African media is promising, and ANA is ready to continue playing a central role in this transformation.