Forging the Future at MDC 2025: Democracy, Development and Digital Transformation in Africa

By Vivian Daniel

At a time when Africa’s democratic, economic, and digital futures hang in the balance, the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development’s third Media Development Conference (MDC-03) convened over 300 in-house guests in Abuja from 24 to 26 November 2025 and hundreds of global online participants to explore how the continent can navigate the next decade.

Under the theme “Reimagining Democracy, Development, and Data for the Next Decade,” the conference became a dynamic forum where policymakers, civil society actors, journalists, and youth innovators shared insights, strategies, and warnings about the complex challenges ahead.

Across plenary sessions, fireside conversations, and AI showcases, participants tackled pressing challenges, from information integrity and media sustainability to climate accountability and digital sovereignty, highlighting the critical intersection of technology, governance, and citizen empowerment.

The CJID CEO, Dapo Olorunyomi, set the tone in his opening remarks, highlighting the fragility of African democracies. “Across the continent, deep civic anxieties are rising. Citizens navigate shrinking civic space, declining trust in public institutions, and contested legitimacy,” he said.

Olorunyomi warned against treating democracy as merely a cycle of elections. “Democracy is a system of values, of participation, and of social contracts renewed through trust. Reimagining democracy for the next decade means building institutions that listen, designing governance that learns, and cultivating political cultures grounded in transparency, accountability, and citizen empowerment,” he said.

He further noted some of the democratic setbacks we encounter, like coups and constitutional manipulations, which undermine trust, young people who feel excluded from political processes and civic spaces that are shrinking, challenging grassroots engagement.

A Pan-African Vision for Media and Policy
The CJID’s Communications Manager, Hilary Nwoziri, emphasised the expanding reach and impact of the CJID’s conference.

“Over the years, we’ve seen how the conference itself has expanded. We’re now a much more pan-African conference, with bilingual features. The conversations here are shaping policies, whether on climate, development, or press freedom,” Nwoziri said.

Monsur Hussain, CJID’s Innovation Lead, highlighted the transformative role of technology in shaping media development.

“What stands out for me is the AI Summit, which allows people to understand the role technology is playing locally and internationally.”

Media: The Lifeline of Democracy
Olorunyomi emphasised the central role of independent media. “Advertising revenues are collapsing; donor support is thinning; new forms of censorship threaten press freedom. Yet, the demand for trustworthy information has never been higher,” he said.

He outlined a vision for revitalised media ecosystems: innovative business models that protect editorial independence, AI-powered fact-checking and civic literacy programmes, as well as a new generation of journalists trained in data, accountability, and digital safety.

“The media is not a luxury – it is the oxygen of democracy. If we allow it to weaken, all other reforms will collapse,” he cautioned.

Technology: Opportunity and Unequal Power
On the other hand, Juana Kweitel, Chief Programmes Officer at Luminate, offered a complementary perspective, highlighting the promise and perils of digital technology.
“Technology has opened a world of possibilities. It has created economic opportunities, led to innovations in health and education, and increased civic and political participation,” she noted.

But she warned of the digital world’s darker side. Algorithms designed for engagement over truth, online harassment, and AI biases reflect the interests of a wealthy Global North. “These erase entire systems of understanding, contexts, and realities and deepen global inequalities,” Kweitel noted.

She equally noted the Digital Divide that nearly 90% of the women worldwide report online abuse affecting their participation, African youth in the gig economy face low wages and precarious work conditions, and AI systems often mirror the perspectives of dominant Global North actors.

Africa’s Digital Sovereignty

The CJID’s CEO highlighted the dangers of data colonialism, where global tech companies extract personal data for profit and political influence. “A continent historically subjected to the extraction of land, labour, minerals, and culture cannot afford a new era in which its data becomes the next frontier of exploitation,” he warned.

He pointed to lessons from Asia and Latin America: India’s Aadhaar system, South Korea’s e-governance platforms, Indonesia’s Mafindo fact-checking consortium, and Brazil’s Marco Civil da Internet show that strong digital governance is possible.

Kweitel added that Africa is at a critical moment to anchor technology in equity, rights, and justice. “We see an opportunity and a responsibility to help re-imagine tech governance across Africa,” she said. “African voices must be heard in global spaces, and digital spaces must be safe, inclusive, and empowering.”

Global Perspectives and Goodwill Messages
International delegates underscored Africa’s opportunity to shape its own narratives, the vital role of journalists in safeguarding democracy, and the urgency of balancing technological advancement with democratic and human-rights protections.

Canada’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Pasquale Salvaggio, noted:
“Resilient information ecosystems are at the backbone of strong democracies, where citizens can access trustworthy data, journalists can work freely, and governments are accountable.”

Spain’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Félix Costale Artieda, said, “Artificial Intelligence is the biggest opportunity and also one of the biggest challenges the world has ever faced.”

The Ambassador of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Nigeria, Svein Baera, noted, “To everyone participating today, I encourage you to keep collaborating, keep pushing boundaries…”

The Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Bengt van Loosdrecht, ably represented by Jessica Odudu, Project and Communications Officer, said, “The strength of any government is tied to the strength of its media ecosystem. As technology evolves, we must balance freedom of expression with the protection of digital rights and personal safety. Safeguarding democracy is a joint work/effort of all the stakeholders involved. The well-being of journalists must remain a reality so that our civic space is not threatened.”

The Project Manager, Open Climate Reporting Initiative (OCRI), Centre for Investigative Journalism, London, Adeolu Adekola, said, “Africa is at a juncture where it must own its own conversations and chart its way forward to the future it desires. “

The Country Manager, Nigeria Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), Tengi George-Ikoli, stressed, “In this era of misinformation and disinformation, journalists have a critical role to play in disseminating fact-based information.

The National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhassan Yahaya, lauded the CJID for the success of MDC 2025.

He remarked, “I commend CJID for creating a platform that brings together stakeholders, journalists, and key actors to deliberate on pressing issues affecting our profession. The depth and relevance of the topics discussed have been outstanding.

“But beyond this, it is imperative that journalists take the lead in setting the agenda, like sensitising, educating, and enlightening the public about the work we do. Today, the credibility of our profession is under scrutiny, with trust in news declining daily. It is high time we reclaim our reputation, and that requires clear, strategic planning.
“Our strategy must prioritise a professional environment where journalists are properly remunerated, and the industry is strengthened from within. We cannot demand recognition externally without first ensuring internal standards are upheld. Research shows that less than 1% of journalists in Nigeria have access to any form of insurance, a stark reflection of our need for reform.

“To address this, the NUJ will introduce a comprehensive insurance scheme for journalists, covering both life and health. Life insurance will ensure families are protected, while health insurance safeguards the well-being of journalists themselves.”

Other dignitaries who gave their goodwill messages include Pieter LEENKNEGT, Ambassador, Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium in Nigeria; Dr Jean-Paul NGOME ABIAGA, Head of Office and Representative, UNESCO office, Abuja; Amadou Coulibaly, Minister of Communication and Government Spokesperson of Côte d’Ivoire; President, Association of Communication Scholars & Professionals, Prof. Rotimi Olatunji, among others.

Youth, Innovation, and Civic Action
Both speakers stressed the role of youth. Olorunyomi celebrated CJID’s Campus Reporter programme, which is active in 34 Nigerian universities and expanding across 13 African countries. “Technology is not merely a tool; it is the terrain on which your future will be negotiated,” he said, whilst urging young innovators to seize the opportunities in fintech, agritech, health-tech, and civic-tech.