African governments have been urged to make strategic investments in state media institutions, technological infrastructure, and professional expertise to reshape how the continent is represented globally and enhance its diplomacy on the international stage.
​The call was made on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, during a high-level diplomatic and media engagement held at the Pulse of Africa (POA) studio in Abuja.
​Speaking at the event, the Founder and Chief Executive of Media Diplomacy Studies, Dr. Mkpe Abang, emphasized that credible, well-resourced, and professionally run public media outlets are essential tools for soft power and sovereign image projection.
​”Strengthening media institutions requires sustained public policy, technological capacity-building, and investment in strategic communication capabilities,” Dr. Abang stated. “This will enable African nations to effectively communicate their own perspectives, protect their national narratives, and counter persistent, misleading international representations.”
​Also speaking during the session, the High Commissioner of the Republic of Botswana to Nigeria, Her Excellency Philda Nani Kereng, underscored the link between strong public information systems and regional development.
She noted that modernising state media equipment and upskilling newsroom personnel are vital steps to ensure African stories reflect the continent’s true political, economic, and social progress.
​The discussion highlighted several key recommendations for African governments, which includes allocating dedicated budgets to modern newsroom tools, broadcast technology, and digital distribution platforms to compete globally.
Investing in continuous professional training for journalists and communication specialists to raise reporting standards and diplomatic media literacy and fostering strong, credible state media governance to build trust among both domestic audiences and international observers.
​The forum concluded with a consensus among diplomats and media leaders that African nations must prioritise news production infrastructure as a core element of their national security and international relations strategy.
