Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa (BMIA) has launched its Financial Journalism Training (FJT) program in Ethiopia, marking its expansion to the ninth African country. The program was inaugurated at a ceremony in Addis Ababa attended by government, academic, and industry leaders.
Fifty-five delegates from media, financial organizations, and government agencies will participate in the first cohort, receiving training aimed at advancing business and financial journalism in Ethiopia. The program, funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies with support from the Ford Foundation and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, seeks to enhance financial reporting skills through data-driven journalism.
In Ethiopia, the program will be delivered in partnership with Addis Ababa University and Unity University, supported by Strathmore University Business School (Kenya). Over seven months, participants will undergo training in areas such as data analysis, capital markets, public policy, and economics, with sessions led by Bloomberg News reporters. Delegates will also have access to the Bloomberg Terminal for six months.
Dr. Samuel Kifle, President of Addis Ababa University, highlighted the importance of the program in shaping Ethiopia’s financial journalism landscape, while Dr. Arega Yirdaw, President of Unity University, emphasized its role in equipping journalists with practical skills.
Dr. Belete Molla, Minister of Innovation and Technology, welcomed the initiative, noting its potential impact on Ethiopia’s sustainable economic growth.
BMIA’s FJT program has trained over 900 journalists across Africa since 2015, with previous intakes in countries including Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.
Source: Bloomberg
