The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), in partnership with the Wits Centre for Journalism (WCJ) at the University of the Witwatersrand, has launched a call for applications for a specialised training workshop aimed at strengthening journalists’ capacity to report critically on Africa-China trade, investment, and political relations.

The three-day capacity-building programme, titled “Building Capacity to Cover a Complex Story – Africa and China Relations,” will be held in Accra, Ghana, during the last quarter of 2026. The initiative seeks to equip journalists with the knowledge and investigative skills needed to provide balanced, evidence-based reporting on one of the continent’s most significant geopolitical relationships.

Applications are open until 30 July 2026.

Strengthening Journalism on Africa-China Relations

The organisers note that Africa has increasingly become a focal point of global geopolitical competition, with China’s expanding engagement across the continent influencing trade, infrastructure development, technology, governance, natural resource management, labour markets, and international cooperation.

As these relationships continue to evolve within a changing global order, journalists are expected to play a vital role in helping citizens understand the opportunities, challenges, and policy implications associated with Africa-China partnerships.

The workshop aims to provide participants with:

A deeper understanding of Africa-China political and economic relations.
Context on global power shifts and their implications for Africa.
Practical journalism techniques for reporting complex international issues.
Skills to produce investigative and public interest stories grounded in African perspectives.

Who Can Apply?

The opportunity is open to journalists working across Anglophone West Africa, specifically those based in:

Ghana
Nigeria
Sierra Leone
Liberia
The Gambia

Eligible applicants must:

Work in print, radio, television, or digital media.
Cover topics such as politics, economics, business, trade, development, infrastructure, extractive industries, environmental issues, or international affairs.
Be available to participate fully in the workshop during September or October 2026.
Obtain formal permission from their editor to attend the training.
Demonstrate the ability to produce high-quality, in-depth stories following the workshop.

Comprehensive Support for Selected Participants

MFWA and its partners will fully sponsor successful applicants throughout the training programme.

Support includes:

Return economy-class airfare.
Accommodation.
Meals during the workshop.
Local transportation.
Story production grants.

The organisers aim to remove financial barriers to participation, enabling journalists from across the region to benefit from the specialised training.

Reporting Grants and International Conference Opportunity

Beyond the workshop itself, participants will have access to additional professional development opportunities.

Journalists who successfully complete the programme will be eligible to apply for reporting grants that support the production and publication of in-depth stories on Africa-China relations and related development issues.

In addition, three outstanding participants will receive fully funded opportunities to attend the Africa Investigative Journalism Conference (AIJC), scheduled for 10–12 November 2026 in Kenya.

The selected journalists will have the opportunity to present and discuss the stories developed through the reporting grant initiative, providing international exposure for their investigative work.

Building Capacity for Public Interest Reporting

According to the organisers, the training reflects the growing need for African journalists to produce nuanced reporting on international partnerships that shape development across the continent.

Rather than focusing solely on economic investments, participants will be encouraged to explore wider issues including:

Infrastructure development.
Development finance.
Governance and accountability.
Labour and employment.
Technology cooperation.
Natural resource management.
International diplomacy.
Community impacts of foreign investment.

The programme seeks to promote journalism that is informed, balanced, and rooted in African realities.

Application Process

Interested journalists are required to complete the official online application form provided by the Media Foundation for West Africa.

Applicants should note:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Applications close on 30 July 2026.
Editorial approval will be required for successful applicants before participation.

Questions regarding the programme may be directed to MFWA via email using the subject line “Africa-China Relations Training Workshop.”

Supporting Independent Journalism in West Africa

The Media Foundation for West Africa is a regional organisation dedicated to promoting freedom of expression, press freedom, access to information, internet freedom, and media development across the sixteen countries of West Africa, including the fifteen ECOWAS member states and Mauritania.

Through partnerships with academic institutions and international organisations, the foundation continues to strengthen investigative journalism and professional reporting standards across the region.

This latest initiative offers journalists a valuable opportunity to deepen their understanding of one of Africa’s most significant international partnerships while enhancing their investigative reporting skills and expanding their professional networks.

VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.

Media Foundation for West Africa Opens Applications for Africa-China Relations Journalism Training – Apply By 30 July 2026 @China Relations Journalism Training – Apply By 30 July 2026