A Gathering of Minds in Abidjan
The bustling city of Abidjan set the stage for the 16th General Assembly of the African Union of Broadcasting (UAR) on June 19-20, 2025. This significant event witnessed the congregation of approximately two hundred delegates from over forty countries, converging to discuss the transformative future of African media under the theme: ‘Developing African Media: Strategies for Financial, Technological, and Content Innovation Resiliency.’ The assembly served as a platform for media professionals, institutional leaders, and international partners to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the current state of broadcasting across Africa.
Exploring Collaborative Solutions
At the heart of the discussions were innovative solutions spearheaded by key industry players. According to Grégoire Ndjaka, Director General of UAR, the assembly provided a fertile ground for generating actionable insights aimed at propelling the continent’s audiovisual sector forward. ‘We have pondered upon solutions that may not be perfect yet serve as a substantial starting point,’ he asserted (source needed).
Angela Aquereburu Rabatel, Director General of SRTB in Benin, advocated for heightened collaboration within the UAR, citing past successes in jointly acquiring broadcasting rights for sports. ‘The path forward is unity,’ she declared, suggesting a collaborative approach to purchasing film rights and sharing locally produced content (source needed).
Empowering Through Education and Innovation
In a move towards fostering media literacy, the UAR, in partnership with UNESCO, committed to launching an educational initiative by the end of 2025 across forty African nations. This project aims to enhance citizens’ critical thinking in the face of widespread misinformation, highlighting the importance of informed media consumption.
The assembly concluded with the UAR Awards ceremony, recognizing outstanding achievements in the African audiovisual industry. The accolades underscored the industry’s commitment to innovation, with figures such as Pape Alé Niang, Director General of RTS Senegal, emphasizing the ongoing quest for excellence in journalism. His advice to the recipients echoed a call for relentless dedication to quality reporting.
Anticipating Future Gatherings
As the curtains fell on the Abidjan assembly, preparations for the 17th General Assembly in 2026 commenced. Scheduled to take place in Banjul, The Gambia, the upcoming gathering aims not only to consolidate the progress achieved but also to evaluate strides made towards creating a self-reliant and contextually relevant African broadcasting landscape.
This forward-thinking approach reflects a broader commitment within the union to shape a dynamic media environment that resonates with the continent’s unique cultural and socio-economic realities.