ANA celebrates its 10th anniversary in Kigali : reflecting on a decade of impact and looking ahead to the future!

2015-2025. A decade has passed since the creation of Africa News Agency (ANA), which has become a pivotal force in the Pan-African media landscape.

Showcasing those shaping Africa today and tomorrow

Founded in 2015, ANA emerged to address a pressing need: to “showcase those shaping Africa today and tomorrow.” Over the past ten years, the agency has fulfilled its mission exceptionally, informing, explaining, analyzing, and promoting news from a continent that, according to its founder, Dounia Ben Mohamed, “is destined to play a central role in the future world, a role it has always held.”

ANA has chosen to take an African perspective on impactful, inspiring local initiatives—highlighting individuals driving change and entrepreneurs shaping the future

What began as “a bold idea” is now a reference point in the field. According to the agency’s CEO, Dounia Ben Mohamed, “it was a thoroughly considered project.” By strategically focusing on economics, ANA has distinguished itself by highlighting impactful topics. Dounia Ben Mohamed explains that this choice stems from the belief that “economics measures progress, highlights social impacts, and showcases the actors driving transformation.” The agency has thus focused its efforts on promoting the private sector, which accounts for 80-90% of African economies, largely dominated by micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Additionally, ANA has made digital innovation a strategic pillar, recognizing it as a true catalyst for change. “ANA has chosen to take an African perspective on impactful, inspiring local initiatives—highlighting individuals driving change and entrepreneurs shaping the future.”

A hundred active ANA community members to gather on January 10 in Kigali

Now, ten years after these initial commitments, ANA is preparing to highlight its achievements while looking to the future. Through a unique event, “Shaping the Future of African Media”, taking place on Friday, January 10, 2025, at Norrsken House Kigali, ANA has brought together its media partners, Pan-African business leaders, public officials, and institutional representatives—nearly 100 active members of the ANA community!

Among the attendees are Eugène Nyagahene, founder of Télé 10; Patrick Bofunda Ilingo, Africa Director of TV5; Oria K. Vande Weghe, Director of Communications and Spokesperson for the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF); Clare Akamanzi, CEO of NBA Africa; Aphrodice Mutangana, COO of Digital Africa; and Elie Habimana, Managing Director – East Africa at Norrsken.

This gathering is not only a celebration of the past decade but also an opportunity, as stated by its promoter, “to collectively reflect on the evolution and role of Pan-African media in a changing Africa. How can we, together, address ongoing and future challenges, seize opportunities to strengthen our impact, and showcase those shaping Africa today and tomorrow? Even better, those inspiring and creating the world of the future! This is at the core of ANA’s DNA.”

A future firmly focused on education and training

At the end of this celebratory day, ANA will unveil ANASchool, an innovative project designed to address the challenges of training for new journalism professions. This initiative aligns with the agency’s mission to promote excellence and professionalism in African journalism amidst the ongoing technological revolution, as Africa takes center stage in addressing global challenges.

“And it is our responsibility, as a Pan-African media outlet, to support this momentum with professionalism and rigor, but also with a Pan-African sensitivity.”