Africa's Future
Depends on Information.
We are building the next generation of journalists, creators, innovators and storytellers strengthening the information systems that power democracy, development and opportunity across Africa.
1.5
Billion
Africans whose future will increasingly depend on trusted information.
Most people think poverty begins with income.We believe it begins with information.
When people lack trustworthy information… they miss opportunities.
When communities cannot tell their own stories… others define them.
When journalism is weak… development slows.
Healthy societies need healthy information ecosystems.
Information is development infrastructure.
Africa Is Changing.
By 2050
1 in 4
people will be African.
Africa will have the world's largest workforce.
Africa's digital economy will exceed hundreds of billions.
Africa's creative industries are rapidly expanding.
Africa's future depends on trusted information.
The Information Challenge
A vicious cycle with eight stages, each feeding the next before looping back to the first:
- Youth Unemployment
- Weak Journalism
- Information Poverty
- Narrative Poverty
- Disinformation
- Weak Development Communication
- Reduced Opportunity
- Slower Growth
…which loops back to Youth Unemployment, and the cycle repeats.
A weak information ecosystem holds everyone back.
Aligned For Impact
Our work advances global and national priorities for an informed, inclusive and prosperous Africa.
Sustainable Development Goals
Advancing SDGs 4, 8, 9 & 16.
NDP IV (2025/26 – 2029/30)
Building a strong, inclusive, resilient and sustainable nation.
Agenda 2063 — The Africa We Want
An informed and knowledge-based Africa.
Uganda Vision 2040
A competitive, inclusive and prosperous nation.
Tenfold Growth Strategy
Empowering people. Driving innovation. Expanding opportunities. Transforming Uganda.
The 6-S Model
Our holistic approach to building a humane and healthy media ecosystem in Africa.
Humane & Healthy Media Ecosystem
How it started. How it's going.
From a single inter-university competition in Uganda to a movement building the next generation of African journalists — every milestone widened the circle.
2012 → 2024
2012
It started with a competition
The first ever inter-university news anchoring and reporting competition in Uganda.
2016
MCI and the Academy launch
Media Challenge Initiative is born, with an academy to skill young journalists.
2018
The Fellowship begins
A fellowship skilling market-ready graduates passionate about solutions and narrative change.
2020
A hub for media viability
A media incubator hub amplifying media innovation and building media capacity for viability.
2023
The SDGs Media Van hits the road
Taking journalism to hard-to-reach communities to promote local journalism.
2024
How it's going: across Africa
Taking our mission continent-wide, empowering journalists across Africa.
Scroll to explore
Young journalists and creators empowered
Alumni working across media, communications & the digital economy
Districts reached across Uganda
Vision for a healthy information ecosystem across Africa
Voices of the movement.
Hear from our alumni about their transformative experiences and how the fellowship shaped their careers in media.
Ruth Omar Esther
Fellow, 2019
Nwali Rahim
Fellow, 2020
Sandra Kahumuza
Fellow, 2018
Tracey Kababiito
Fellow, 2018
Our work, in the spotlight.
Our impact, on the record — the stories the world is watching.
A Closer Look at the Young Leaders Highlighted in President Obama's Mandela Lecture
Join Africa's Information Movement.
Partner, invest or collaborate with us to build the information infrastructure that will power Africa's future.