The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has launched Phase II of the Digital Public Infrastructure Journalism Fellowship Programme. The foundation promotes freedom of expression, press freedom, access to information, internet freedom and media development throughout the 16 countries in the West Africa region–that is the 15 member states of ECOWAS and Mauritania.

This initiative aims to elevate public awareness, stimulate debates, foster inclusivity, and encourage participation and uptake of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Digital Public Goods (DPG) issues across West Africa.

The fellowship also seeks to host a cohort of 60 experienced journalists from Benin, Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo. These journalists will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to produce high quality, impactful reports on DPI/DPGs. Ultimately, the work of these journalists will contribute to increased public access to information, greater public awareness, and more robust engagement in DPI/DPGs policy development and implementation throughout the West African region.

Selected journalists will participate in a three-month fellowship from November 2024 to January 2025. The fellowship will involve training workshops, mentorship, and story production. Upon completion, fellows will continue to engage in network activities and further reporting on DPI/DPGs for three months.

The fellowship includes, both virtual and in-person, country-specific capacity-building sessions for the selected fellows. Quarterly virtual follow-up refreshers will also be held for both the first and second cohorts, facilitating knowledge-sharing and collaboration on DPI/DPGs issues.

By the end of the Fellowship, each fellow is expected to have produced at least five significant stories on DPI/DPGs. Fellows will be required to publish their stories in their respective news media organisations. Fellows will also receive a certificate of participation.

Monthly stipend of $250 per Fellow for the first three months of the Fellowship
Partner newsrooms will be supported with $1000 under a DPI/DPGs Newsroom Partnership Programme
Travel Grants to support best DPI/DPG reporters to participate in international trainings or convenings that will further enhance their knowledge and capacity on DPI/DPG issues.

The fellow is expected to work cooperatively in diverse groups and to respect the opinions of others, and also, must have strong social and communication skills, an energetic, positive attitude to work; and proven record of diligent journalistic reporting backed by research, basic knowledge, interest, or professional experience in ICTs and digitalisation issues.

Applications should include a 350-word statement of interest, a CV with two referees, a statement of support from the applicant’s media organization, and a copy of a national ID. The deadline for applications is September 30, 2024.

For further clarification, kindly contact the MFWA at [email protected] or Dora B. Mawutor at dora[@]mfwa.org and Vivian Affoah at vivian[@]mfwa.org.