Applications are now officially open for the second cohort of the Africa Extractives Media Fellowship (AEMF), an intensive six-month journalism capacity-building programme designed to strengthen extractives-sector reporting in Africa.

Organized by NewsWire Africa, the fellowship is aimed at empowering Ghanaian journalists with advanced reporting skills, investigative techniques, data journalism expertise, and in-depth knowledge of Africa’s extractive industries.

The fellowship addresses critical reporting gaps across sectors such as mining, oil and gas, climate transition, critical minerals, environmental governance, and revenue accountability.

Aspiring and practicing journalists in Ghana who are passionate about impactful storytelling, public accountability, and investigative reporting are encouraged to apply for this prestigious programme.

About the Africa Extractives Media Fellowship (AEMF)

The Africa Extractives Media Fellowship is a specialized journalism programme established by NewsWire Africa to improve the quality, depth, and impact of extractives-sector reporting across the African continent.

Africa’s extractive industries continue to shape economies, governance systems, environmental policies, and community livelihoods. However, reporting on these sectors often lacks technical depth, investigative rigor, and sustained public-interest focus.

The AEMF was created to bridge this gap by equipping journalists with:

Specialized extractives-sector knowledge
Data-driven reporting skills
Investigative journalism techniques
Ethical reporting practices
Understanding of climate and environmental issues
Policy and governance reporting expertise

The programme combines practical learning, mentorship, industry engagement, and hands-on reporting experiences to strengthen journalism that drives accountability and informed public discourse.

Programme Duration and Structure

The fellowship is a:

Six-Month In-Person Journalism Fellowship

Participants selected for Cohort II will undergo intensive training, mentorship, reporting assignments, and collaborative learning activities focused on Africa’s extractive sectors.

The programme creates opportunities for fellows to engage directly with:

Industry leaders
Policymakers
Civil society organizations
Academic experts
Environmental advocates
Governance institutions

Key Areas of Focus

The fellowship covers several important themes within the extractives industry.

Major Focus Areas Include:

1. Mining, Oil and Gas, and Green Minerals

Participants will gain deeper understanding of:

Resource extraction systems
Energy industries
Critical minerals
Green transition resources
Mining sector developments

2. Revenue Flows and Governance

Fellows will explore:

Resource revenue management
Public accountability
Transparency systems
Governance structures
Economic policy implications

3. Environmental Justice and Community Impact

The programme also focuses on:

Environmental protection
Community displacement
Ecological sustainability
Social justice
Local development challenges

4. Climate Transition and Critical Minerals

Participants will examine:

Africa’s role in global energy transition
Critical minerals demand
Climate adaptation
Sustainable resource governance

5. Ethical, Data-Driven, and Investigative Journalism

The fellowship strengthens participants’ abilities in:

Investigative storytelling
Fact-checking
Data analysis
Ethical journalism practices
Evidence-based reporting

Why the Fellowship Matters

Africa’s extractive industries generate billions in revenue and influence major development decisions, yet many critical stories remain underreported.

This fellowship helps journalists build the expertise needed to investigate and explain complex issues such as:

Mineral revenue distribution
Corporate accountability
Environmental degradation
Illegal mining activities
Climate-related resource transitions
Community rights
Public policy failures
Investment and governance systems

By strengthening journalism in these areas, the fellowship contributes to greater transparency, accountability, and informed public engagement.

Fellowship Impact So Far

The inaugural Ghana Cohort (2025–2026) already demonstrated significant impact through high-quality reporting produced by fellows.

Published Impact Stories Included:

Coverage of Ghana’s sliding-scale royalty framework
Reports on investor concerns and industry responses
Historical mineral revenue analysis
Governance and accountability investigations

These stories were featured by major Ghanaian media outlets including:

Citi Newsroom
MyJoyOnline
GhanaWeb
The High Street Journal

Fellowship Partners and Institutional Support

The programme is supported by a strong network of national and international institutions, including:

Australian High Commission
Ghana Chamber of Mines
University of Ghana Business School
University of Mines and Technology
Petroleum Hub Development Corporation
CDD-Ghana
Digital Earth Africa
WANEP
National Petroleum Authority
Public Interest & Accountability Committee (PIAC)
Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) Ltd.
Ayatickets

The inaugural cohort was launched at the residence of the Australian High Commissioner with participation from government officials, diplomats, industry leaders, academia, and civil society stakeholders.

Benefits of Joining the Fellowship

Selected fellows will benefit from a wide range of professional development opportunities.

Fellows Will Gain:

Advanced investigative journalism skills
Specialized extractives-sector knowledge
Data journalism experience
Networking opportunities
Mentorship from experts
Exposure to policy and governance discussions
Access to industry stakeholders
Portfolio-building opportunities
Increased professional visibility

The fellowship also offers participants opportunities to produce impactful stories capable of shaping national conversations and influencing policy debates.

Who Can Apply?

The programme is primarily designed for:

Ghanaian Journalists

This includes journalists working in:

Print media
Online journalism
Television
Radio
Multimedia storytelling
Investigative reporting

Applicants interested in:

Extractives reporting
Environmental journalism
Climate reporting
Governance journalism
Business and economic reporting

are strongly encouraged to apply.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Strong applicants are likely to demonstrate:

Passion for public-interest journalism
Interest in accountability reporting
Curiosity about extractive industries
Commitment to ethical journalism
Willingness to participate fully in the six-month programme
Strong storytelling ability
Interest in climate and sustainability issues

Application Deadline

Applications for Cohort II close on:

Monday, 8 June 2026 at 23:59 GMT

Applicants are encouraged to submit early before the deadline.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should apply through the official AEMF Fellowship Portal.

Click Here for more and to apply

Why Journalists Should Apply

The Africa Extractives Media Fellowship offers a rare opportunity for Ghanaian journalists to gain highly specialized reporting expertise in one of Africa’s most important sectors.

The programme helps journalists:

Strengthen investigative reporting skills
Build expertise in extractives governance
Produce impactful public-interest stories
Connect with industry experts and policymakers
Improve data and environmental reporting capacity
Contribute to accountability and transparency in Africa’s resource sectors

For journalists passionate about uncovering impactful stories and shaping public conversations around natural resources, governance, and sustainability, the AEMF Fellowship represents a valuable career-building opportunity.

Click here for more global fellowship opportunities

Africa Extractives Media Fellowship 2026 @NewsWire Africa