Africa urged to build stronger media institutions

Founder and Chief Executive of Media Diplomacy Studies, Dr Mkpe Abang, and the High Commissioner of the Republic of Botswana to Nigeria, Philda Kereng, in Abuja

African governments have been urged to invest in state media institutions, professional expertise and technology to strengthen the continent’s influence in international affairs and improve how its affairs are represented globally.

 The call was made during a diplomatic meeting between the Founder and Chief Executive of Media Diplomacy Studies, Dr Mkpe Abang, and the High Commissioner of the Republic of Botswana to Nigeria, Philda Kereng, in Abuja.

 The meeting focused on Africa’s position in the evolving global information order and the role of state media in communicating the continent’s perspectives, achievements and aspirations to the international community.

 According to a statement by Abang, Kereng emphasised the need for African countries to take greater responsibility for communicating their own stories rather than allowing external representations, which may be distorted or incomplete, to shape international perceptions of the continent.

 She also highlighted the importance of deliberate public policy, sustained institutional investment and technological capacity-building to improve the effectiveness of African state media in international diplomacy.

 The statement noted that strengthening media institutions would require investment in professional expertise, technological infrastructure and strategic communication capabilities to enable them to communicate African perspectives effectively and respond to misleading narratives.

 The discussion comes amid broader concerns about how Africa is portrayed internationally and the capacity of its institutions to influence global conversations about the continent’s political, economic and social development.

 Abang said the exchange reinforced the argument that credible and professionally managed state media could serve as instruments of national image projection and international influence when supported by strong institutions and clear strategic objectives.

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 The meeting also discussed the forthcoming national presentation of Abang’s book, Weapons of Mass Manipulation: State Media, Global Influence and the New Diplomacy of Power, alongside the inauguration of the Annual Diplomacy Day.

 Both events are scheduled for Friday, 20 November 2026, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, under the auspices of Media Diplomacy Studies.

 The Botswana High Commission indicated its willingness to participate in the events, according to the statement.

 An advance, personally autographed copy of the book was presented to Kereng during the meeting.

 Abang said Africa’s ability to shape international perceptions would depend not only on the continent’s achievements but also on its capacity to communicate them credibly and participate actively in global discussions.