INMA today announced 41 recipients of the Africa Elevate 2026 Scholarships, recognising a new generation of African media professionals helping shape the future of news media across the continent.

Selected from a competitive pool of 114 applicants from across Africa, the awardees represent broadcasters, publishers, digital-first media startups, audience engagement teams, newsroom innovators, social media strategists, and emerging media leaders navigating the rapidly changing realities of journalism and media business sustainability.

The Elevate Africa programme reflects a growing understanding across the industry that journalism alone is no longer enough to sustain modern news media organisations. Today’s media leaders must increasingly understand audience growth, digital platforms, product thinking, AI, revenue models, and newsroom transformation alongside strong editorial values.

This year’s recipients demonstrated not only a passion for journalism but also a clear awareness of the structural and technological challenges shaping the future of media in Africa.

Recipients come from across Eastern, Western, Southern, and Northern Africa and include professionals from both established media organisations and emerging digital-native platforms.

“The future of African media will be shaped by leaders who can bridge journalism, audience strategy, technology, and sustainable business models,” said Earl J. Wilkinson, executive director and CEO of INMA. “The Elevate finalists reflect an exciting generation of professionals thinking beyond traditional newsroom boundaries and preparing for a very different media future.”

The 2026 awardees are:

• Ibrahim Abubakari, broadcast journalist, North Star Multimedia, Ghana.
• Kareem Adijat, editor, Dataphyte, Nigeria.
• Ifeolukchu Akibayi, head of programmes, Lion FM UNN, Nigeria.
• Ky Akim, journalist, Burkina 24, Burkina Faso.
• Lydia Efelly Akullu, reporter, Nation Media Group Uganda, Uganda.
• Damali Asekenye, business executive, Nation Media Group Uganda, Uganda.
• Africa Bintumukure, journalist/editor, Akeza.net, Burundi.
• Lotara Charles, reporter, Sudans Post, South Sudan.
• Michael Chisom, head, audience engagement/media data analytics, BusinessDay Media Limited, Nigeria.
• Yaeesh Collins, freelance journalist/content creator, IOL, South Africa.
• Samuel Fatola, newsletter editor/event lead, Stated Digital Publishing Australia, Nigeria.
• Otto Gotlieb, journalist, The Namibian Newspaper, Namibia.
• Mariama P Hallaby, head of programmes, Central University Television, Sierra Leone.
• Sarah Hoek, community manager, Daily Maverick, South Africa.
• Egide Iminabazwe, executive director of Grude Media, Grude Media, Burundi.
• Hannah Johnson, journalist, Punch Newspapers, Nigeria.
• Tom Kanku, reporter/news producer, Uganda Broadcasting, Uganda.
• Lilian Kiendi, digital news correspondent, The Kenya Times, Kenya.
• Caroline Re Kimeu, editor native and user generated content, Nation Media Group, Kenya.
• Faith Kiplagat, digital writer, Mediamax Network Limited, Kenya.
• Jacqueline Lawrence, director, Mbeya Highlands FM, Tanzania.
• Nayga Martin, news anchor, Media Max Network Ltd, Kenya.
• Nsika Maseko, social media coordinator, Good Governance Africa, South Africa.
• Edmilson Mate, journalist, Evidencias Newspaper, Mozambique.
• Wanja Mbuthia, social media producer, Nation Media Group, Kenya.
• Alfred Misheba, field reporter, Kenya News Agency, Kenya.
• Amahle Mkhize, marketing assistant, Independent Media, South Africa.
• Henry Mlembea, reporter, Love Community Radio, Malawi.
• Angello Ndungutse, presenter/show host/anchor, Royal FM Kigali, Rwanda.
• Rebecca Njuguna, journalist, Mediamax Network Ltd, Kenya.
• Bosha Nyanje, video journalist, BBC Swahili, Tanzania.
• Ossa Og Ochukwu, news anchor and reporter, Afia Television, Nigeria.
• Nashon Oriang, videographer, Distory, Kenya.
• Temitope Oyedare, head/digital subscription sales, BusinessDay Media Limited, Nigeria.
• Masasi Rutendo, human interest journalist, Briefly News, South Africa.
• Pride Peace Sacukwapunya, current affairs producer, Zimpapers Television Network, Zimbabwe.
• Fayiah Tengbeh, reporter, Voice of Lofa Radio Station, Liberia.
• Kgalalelo Tlhoaele, journalist, Daily Sun/Media 24, South Africa.
• Roderick Tyoli, TV producer and director, Kenya Broadcasting Corp, Kenya.
• Charlotte Tau Webb, Web producer, Arena Holdings, South Africa.
• Ismaila Yinusa, head of desk/entertainment, Legit.ng, Nigeria.

The scholarship is designed to expose participants to practical strategies and emerging trends influencing global media companies, while creating stronger professional networks across the African news media ecosystem. The programme will be delivered virtually through a series of livestream learning modules, global industry insights, and peer engagement sessions coordinated by INMA.

INMA launched the Elevate Africa Scholarship Programme in 2025 to support the development of emerging African media talent and help strengthen the long-term sustainability and transformation of the continent’s news industry.

Learn more about INMA’s Africa Elevate Scholarship Programme here.

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