Africa Initiative
Program Years: 2020-25
The Africa Initiative worked across East and West Africa to support journalists and newsrooms practicing rigorous, evidence-based solutions journalism. Launched in 2020, the initiative has engaged more than 70 newsrooms across Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Liberia, The Gambia and Uganda, combining workshops, fellowships, mentoring and newsroom partnerships.
Through partners Nigeria Health Watch and Science Africa, we worked with community and national newsrooms to support reporting that reflects the multilingual, multicultural and multimedia needs of diverse African audiences.
What's Working
In the final phase of the Africa Initiative, the Solutions Journalism Network conducted a qualitative evaluation with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to better understand how solutions journalism was being practiced and what outcomes were emerging.
Drawing on interviews with journalists and editors, peer reflections from a wider community of practice and audience focus groups, we discovered practical lessons on what supports sustained solutions journalism and how solutions-focused reporting can positively impact audiences, communities and institutions.
How Nigeria Health Watch helped bring solutions journalism to Nigeria and beyond
Discover some of the most inspiring work and takeaways from across Nigeria and the West African region as shared by project coordinators and participants.
"An Extra Mile": How Science Africa helped bring solutions journalism to Kenya and the East African region
Hear insights and impacts from the Africa Initiative in Kenya and the East African region.
