Africa Business Media Innovators | Bloomberg Media Initiatives Africa
In 2015, the Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa launched its inaugural Africa Business Media Innovators (ABMI) in Johannesburg, South Africa, uniting global leaders to explore the continent’s transforming media landscape. ABMI now celebrates ten years of commitment to the advancement and success of Africa’s media industry. This milestone event aims to measure the progress of the continent’s media industry and explore key themes such as the impact of emerging technologies and AI, the business of sport media, the podcast industry, media investment, fintech, and digital media.
Welcome and Keynote Address:
Some of the notable speakers at the event include:
- H.E. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia
- Mr. Ken Ansah, Chief Operating Officer, Multimedia Group Limited
- Mr. Stone Atwine, Founder and CEO, Eversend
- Mr. Solomon Assefa, Founder, Viridian Partners
- Mr. Samuel Attah-Mensah, CEO, Citi FM and Channel One TV
The Africa Business Media Innovators is an integral part of the Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa, aiming to support a flourishing media sector in Africa to contribute to the continent’s economic development. ABMI provides a platform for actionable dialogue and learning for industry leaders in Africa to navigate the changing media landscape.
Key Highlights of ABMI:
- Launch of ABMI in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2015
- Six in-person convenings held in South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Zambia, Senegal, Cape Town
- Over 1,000 leaders from Media, Business, Technology, Government, and Civil Society attended
- Keynote addresses by notable figures such as Honorable Nana Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana
Since its inception, ABMI has brought together leaders from media, business, technology, and government across 65 countries to explore new opportunities and strategies that will drive journalism and media in Africa and globally.
Notable Quotes from Past Events:
"Our country’s transition to a real democracy would not have happened the way it did were it not for the journalists, editors and media owners who were prepared to risk it all for the sake of telling the full truth." - Honorable Geordin Hill-Lewis, Mayor of Cape Town (ABMI 2023, South Africa)
"Covid-19 has helped us accelerate the movement from the hard copy to the digital platform…we are so excited of the movement in terms of technology…the pace was very slow in Ghana, COVID-19 helped us to move to digital paid subscriptions." - Dr. Edith Dankwa, Group Publisher, Business Times Africa Magazine
These gatherings have addressed challenges and opportunities in the media industry, including the rise of digital technologies, AI tools, global competitors, and the need for new business models to adapt to changing economies.
Insights and Future Outlook:
The ABMI events have highlighted the importance of harnessing technological innovation and transparent governance to drive Africa’s economic growth. Leaders emphasize the need for quality journalism and investment in African technology to boost domestic savings and trade.
As ABMI continues to evolve, it remains a pivotal platform for industry leaders to collaborate, innovate, and drive positive change in Africa’s media landscape.
Reports:
For more detailed information, you can view the ABMI reports:
Join us in shaping the future of media in Africa and beyond.
