In September 2025, MTN Group, in partnership with the College of Johannesburg (UJ) and the African Editors Discussion board (TAEF), launched the MTN Pan-African Media Innovation Programme (MIP) at MTN Group Headquarters in Johannesburg. The launch marked the enlargement of a confirmed nationwide initiative in Nigeria right into a continent-wide platform geared toward strengthening the way forward for African journalism.
Following this announcement and subsequent programme preparation, purposes are actually invited for the 2026 MTN Pan-African MIP cohort. Functions shut on 30 April 2026.
The MTN Pan-African MIP is a 12-week licensed studying journey delivered over 6 months, combining on-line educational modules with an in-person immersion in Johannesburg. The programme is designed to deal with the sensible and strategic realities dealing with up to date journalism, together with digital transformation, media sustainability, ethics and regulation, innovation in newsroom observe, and the influence of platforms and rising applied sciences on the knowledge ecosystem.
Fellows may also take part in newsroom immersion, business masterclasses, research visits, and structured peer engagement that connects educational studying with real-world software.
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Past formal studying, the programme is meant to construct a Pan-African group of observe, enabling sustained collaboration, skilled change, and cross-border studying amongst journalists, editors, and media leaders throughout the continent.
Functions are open to mid- to senior-level journalists, editors, and media practitioners from MTN markets. Candidates ought to display robust skilled expertise, a dedication to moral journalism, and an curiosity in innovation and cross-border engagement. For eligibility standards and software steering, please go to: MTN.com/media-innovation-programme/.
Following the shut of purposes, candidates might be reviewed and shortlisted independently by UJ and TAEF primarily based on skilled benefit, potential influence, and their dedication to the evolution of African media.
Nompilo Morafo, MTN Group Chief Sustainability and Company Affairs Officer, says a vibrant, resilient, and revolutionary media ecosystem is crucial for Africa’s progress.
Via the MTN Pan-African Media Innovation Programme, working with UJ and TAEF, we’re investing in the way forward for journalism by equipping media professionals with the talents, networks and instruments they should navigate a quickly altering info panorama. This initiative reinforces MTN’s dedication to supporting robust, moral and sustainable media throughout our markets, and to fostering the voices that form our continent’s tales”.
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Professor Sifiso Mnisi, UJ’s Director for Centre for Information and Digital Communications, stated the way forward for African journalism will depend on the continual improvement of important pondering, moral management, and revolutionary newsroom observe.
Our partnership with MTN and TAEF permits us to equip media professionals with the tutorial grounding and sensible publicity wanted to thrive in a quickly evolving info atmosphere. We’re proud to contribute to a programme that strengthens media excellence throughout the continent.”
Mentioned Churchill Otieno, the President of TAEF:
For Africa to deepen democracy and social cohesion, we want newsrooms which can be robust, unbiased and able to adapting to fast-changing media dynamics. The Pan-African Media Innovation Programme gives a significant platform for journalists and editors to sharpen their expertise, collaborate throughout borders, and innovate within the pursuits of the general public”.