WAMECA 2025: Africa’s Digital Awakening and the Journalist’s Role

 By Shine Esi Kwawukumey 

Executive Director, MFWA, Sulemana Briamah

The 2025 West Africa Media Excellence Conference and Awards (WAMECA) brought together journalists, media practitioners, digital innovators, and policymakers from across the continent to deliberate on the theme “Journalism and Digital Public Infrastructure in Africa.” 

The two-day event, organized by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), explored the intersection between technology and journalism, highlighting how digital public systems can strengthen transparency, accountability, and inclusion in governance and the media space.

The opening session set the tone for a deep, thought-provoking exchange on the evolving relationship between digital technology and the media. 

Panelists and participants emphasized the urgent need for African countries to build and sustain digital infrastructures that serve the public good, systems that not only enhance communication and access to information but also uphold privacy, data protection, and inclusion for all citizens.

As the first day unfolded, discussions circled around the responsibilities of journalists in the digital age, the opportunities offered by financial technology and innovation, and the crucial role of regulation in ensuring safe, ethical, and equitable digital spaces.

Digital Inclusion and the Human Element

Speakers from various sectors including health, finance, and security stressed that the heart of digital transformation lies in people. 

The conversation on digital inclusion resonated deeply as panelists discussed the need to ensure that vulnerable and aging populations are not left behind.

Participants highlighted how many citizens, especially in rural or marginalized communities, are often excluded from digital financial systems due to language barriers, illiteracy, and limited internet access. 

The solution, they said, lies in designing platforms that speak the languages of the people both literally and figuratively. 

This includes developing USSD channels and voice-enabled systems that allow users to perform transactions and access services without needing advanced literacy or smartphones.

Representatives from fintech companies acknowledged the challenges and shared how their teams are working to build accessible systems that can reach every user, regardless of educational background or ability. 

“Technology must be built for everyone,” one participant noted, “not just for the digitally fluent.”

Journalists, Data, and Accountability

Another strong theme was the importance of data access and transparency in the digital ecosystem. 

Journalists at the conference voiced concerns about the difficulty in obtaining accurate and timely data from public and financial institutions. 

They argued that without access to authentic information, it becomes nearly impossible to hold power to account or to report accurately on trends shaping digital finance and governance.

Speakers from regulatory bodies and fintech companies acknowledged this gap, calling for standardized data collection and sharing systems across Africa’s financial sectors. 

They pointed out that even though millions of instant payment transactions occur monthly across the continent, much of this data remains locked away fragmented, inconsistent, or unpublished.

Panelists urged central banks and financial regulators to not only collect data but also publish it systematically for public use. 

As one contributor aptly put it, “We can only improve what we measure. 

If we don’t measure, we cannot know what to fix.”

Accessibility and Persons with Disabilities

The discussion on inclusion deepened when participants raised the issue of access for persons with disabilities. 

Many called for intentional design thinking in fintech and public digital systems ensuring that products are accessible to visually impaired persons and those with other physical limitations.

Panelists acknowledged that inclusion must go beyond providing connectivity; it must also ensure that platforms are usable by all. 

Some recommended that fintechs engage persons with disabilities directly in product design and testing, rather than as an afterthought.

Such conversations revealed a shared understanding: that digital transformation in Africa cannot be meaningful if it does not uplift the most vulnerable.

Day Two: Conversations on Ethics, Safety, and Mental Health

The second day of WAMECA 2025 focused more directly on journalism practice, bringing to light the realities of working in a rapidly changing digital environment.


Panel discussions featured editors, reporters, and media trainers exploring issues such as press freedom, digital safety, misinformation, and the emotional toll of modern journalism.

Speakers underscored the importance of mental health awareness in newsrooms, noting that journalists often face burnout, trauma, and constant exposure to distressing stories. 

There were calls for news organizations to establish support systems and mentorship programs that prioritize the emotional well-being of their staff.

Another session highlighted the critical role of professional solidarity and collaboration among journalists in the region. 

Participants agreed that cross-border partnerships and peer networks can strengthen investigative journalism, promote accountability, and offer protection to reporters facing threats or censorship.

The day also featured discussions on the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in newsrooms how to balance efficiency with ethics, accuracy, and human oversight. 

Speakers warned against overreliance on algorithms for news judgment, reminding participants that journalism’s core remains rooted in truth, verification, and empathy.

Lessons in Digital Transformation

As the conference delved deeper into the role of technology, it became evident that while innovation can enhance storytelling, it must also respect cultural contexts and human values. 

Panelists repeatedly emphasized that Africa’s strength lies in its diversity and that journalism must reflect that diversity through inclusive narratives and localized digital solutions.

Discussions on digital infrastructure extended beyond media to touch on healthcare systems, governance, and citizen engagement. 

From community health workers using mobile tools to reach remote villages, to digital payment systems transforming local economies, the examples shared painted a vivid picture of progress yet also highlighted the gaps that remain.

Reflections: My Takeaway from WAMECA 2025

Sitting through two days of such insightful dialogue, I was reminded of why journalism remains an essential force in shaping Africa’s future. 

I listened, learned, and reflected as a storyteller seeking to understand how technology can either bridge or widen our social divides.

The sessions taught me that digital public infrastructure is not merely about technology it is about trust. 

It is about building systems that connect people, empower communities, and protect the vulnerable. 

I learned that inclusion requires intention: that to truly serve the public, we must design systems in languages people understand, platforms they can access, and stories that reflect their realities.

As a storyteller, I also saw how critical it is to keep pushing for data transparency and ethical reporting. 

The more we understand the systems shaping our societies, the better we can tell the stories that matter.

WAMECA 2025, for me, was more than a conference it was a mirror reflecting the evolving responsibilities of African journalists in the digital era. 

It reminded me that while technology continues to transform how we work, the essence of journalism remains the same: to inform, to empower, to uphold truth in service of the public good, and to hold power accountable .

End.