The African Media Initiative or AMI and the Huawei African Telecommunications Union or ATU on Wednesday launched the first Information Communication Technology or ICT coverage training in Nairobi, Kenya for 20 East Africa region journalists.
The five-day course aimed at expanding and deepening media understanding and coverage of technology and related issues on the continent where journalists will work with top trainers from Africa and across the globe on how to gather and analyze ICT data and generate reports that are easily understood at all levels.
Huawei Kenya Chief Executive Officer Dean Yu said they were working hard to collaborate with important stakeholders to build a healthy ecosystem to realize their vision of building a better connected Africa.
ATU Secretary General Abdoul Karim Soumaila said ICT is increasingly becoming an enabler thus driving the social development of Africa.
AMI’s Chief Executive Officer Eric Chinje called on all parties to work together to share experience and resources to enhance ICT development in Africa.
AMI’s Information Officer Mumin Maslah noted that they are working to establish networks of media specialists on subjects that are central to regional development.
He appreciated Huawei, ATU and AFRALTI for their partnership in the ICT sector that is crucial to increase the pace of development in Africa.
Journalists are expected to become part of a professional network and continental community of practice to make 150-200 reporters with full capacity to cover Africa.
Network members will enrich the national and regional dialogues on ICT policy, animate an online platform with their reports and documentaries, allow for accurate articles and disseminate audio-visual products widely beyond their own media organizations.
The ICT application training and broadband strategies, use of ICT in telling development stories and effective data journalism attracted journalists from Kenya, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Ethiopia.