3rd Cohort of AU Media Fellowship Launches with Addis Ababa Study Visit
The African Union Commission welcomed 22 journalists and content creators to launch the AU Media Fellowship Cohort 3.0, beginning their first study visit in Addis Ababa. The fellowship strengthens African storytelling, connects citizens with institutions, and advances Agenda 2063 through informed, solutions-driven journalism .
The African Union Commission officially launched the AU Media Fellowship (AUMF) Cohort 3.0, welcoming 22 journalists and content creators from 18 African countries to Addis Ababa for their first study visit. Selected from more than 100,000 applicants, the fellows represent a diverse pan-African network committed to advancing credible, solutions-driven journalism.
The selected fellows began their journey in Addis Ababa from 9 to 18 March 2026, engaging directly with African Union institutions, policy processes and strategic priorities during their first study visit. Over the course of this 16-month programme, these media professionals will collaborate across borders while receiving structured mentorship and advanced professional development aimed at supporting bold, data-driven and solutions-oriented journalism.
The launch highlights African Union’s continued effort to strengthening African-led development narratives that connect citizens with continental institutions and support the achievement of Agenda 2063. During the visit, fellows engaged with several African Union organs and institutions, including Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, gaining deeper insight into key priorities shaping Africa’s transformation.
The initiative is implemented with strong partner support. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), on behalf of Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the European Union, reaffirmed its commitment to empowering African storytellers and promoting independent, fact-based journalism. This collaboration with the African Union helps strengthen media capacity, foster cross-border partnerships and amplify authentic African narratives.
Through mentorship, capacity-building and exposure to continental policymaking, Cohort 3.0 will help bridge the gap between policy and public understanding. By leveraging digital storytelling and harnessing innovative tools, including artificial intelligence, the fellows will further strengthen modern reporting practices, enhance citizen engagement and contribute to impactful narratives that advance Africa’s development agenda.
“A free, diverse, and professional media landscape is essential for informed public dialogue and sustainable development. Germany, through the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), is proud to support the African Union Media Fellowship as it empowers journalists and content creators to strengthen fact-based reporting, promote inclusive public discourse, and bring continental policies closer to citizens. This initiative reflects Germany’s commitment to supporting independent media and democratic governance while contributing to the aspirations of Agenda 2063, including Africa’s digital transformation”