| The President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, has called for more balanced media coverage of Africa and its development, noting it was critical for changing false narratives.
Adesina said this on Thursday in a keynote speech to the All Africa’s Media summit in Nairobi, attended by nearly 300 participants from across the continent. He praised the crucial role the media plays in strengthening democracy and advancing inclusivity. He said there were many positive developments in Africa yet the continent continues to suffer misrepresentations which undermine its economic progress and investment potential. “Despite the significant progress within our continent, the prevailing media narrative often focuses on negative stereotypes, overlooking the substantial advancements and resilience Africa demonstrates,” he added. Adesina said there was plenty of positive news to report about and highlighted the continent’s economic resilience regional and amid global challenges.
He said that in 2023, Africa’s growth rate surpassed the global average, with 11 African nations ranked among the world’s fastest-growing economies. Adesina referenced a 2021 Africa No Filter Report, which revealed significant adherence to outdated and negative clichés in media reports about Africa.
“It’s time for change,” he declared. “We must reshape the narrative about Africa to reflect its true spirit and potential.” He emphasised the critical nature of information and its ability to have a profound negative impact on development and investor perceptions even though an in-depth investigation by Moody’s Analytics had shown the continent was much less of a risk than many other continents. |
