Accra, Ghana – June 2026 — Journalists from across Anglophone West Africa have been invited to apply for a fully funded training workshop aimed at strengthening media coverage of Africa-China trade, investment, and political relations.

The initiative is being organized by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) in partnership with the Wits Centre for Journalism (WCJ) in South Africa. The three-day capacity-building workshop, titled “Building Capacity to Cover a Complex Story – Africa and China Relations,” is scheduled to take place in Accra, Ghana, during the final quarter of 2026.

The programme seeks to equip journalists with the knowledge, analytical tools, and reporting skills needed to critically examine the growing relationship between African countries and China amid evolving global geopolitical dynamics.

Strengthening Reporting on Africa-China Relations

According to the organizers, Africa has become a key arena for international engagement, with China’s economic and political presence on the continent expanding significantly over the past two decades.

Chinese involvement in areas such as infrastructure development, trade, technology, natural resource extraction, development financing, governance, labour, and international cooperation continues to shape public discourse across the continent. As these relationships evolve, journalists are increasingly expected to provide in-depth, balanced, and evidence-based reporting that reflects African perspectives and realities.

The workshop aims to help media practitioners better understand the complexities of Africa-China relations within a rapidly changing global order while enhancing their ability to investigate and communicate stories that serve the public interest.

Participants will receive training in both subject matter knowledge and specialized journalism techniques designed to improve reporting on international affairs, economic cooperation, development projects, and geopolitical trends.

Who Can Apply?

The opportunity is open to journalists based in the following Anglophone West African countries:

Ghana
Nigeria
Sierra Leone
Liberia
The Gambia

Applicants must be actively working in print, radio, television, or digital media and should have experience reporting on subjects such as:

Politics
Business and trade
Economic affairs
Development
Infrastructure
Environment
Extractive industries
International relations

Eligible candidates must also be available to attend the workshop during the September–October 2026 period and be able to obtain a formal permission letter from their editor confirming participation.

In addition, applicants should demonstrate the capacity and commitment to produce in-depth journalistic stories following completion of the training.

Fully Funded Participation

The organizers have confirmed that all costs associated with participation will be covered for selected journalists.

Support includes:

Return economy-class airfare
Accommodation
Meals
Local transportation
Story production grants

The fully funded nature of the programme is intended to ensure broad participation from journalists across the region, regardless of financial constraints.

Additional Reporting Grants Available

Beyond the training itself, participants will have an opportunity to apply for reporting grants aimed at supporting the production of investigative and in-depth stories related to Africa-China relations.

The grants are expected to help journalists pursue ambitious reporting projects that explore the economic, political, environmental, and social implications of China’s engagement across Africa.

Organizers indicated that these reporting projects could contribute to a more nuanced public understanding of international partnerships and development dynamics on the continent.

Opportunity to Attend Africa Investigative Journalism Conference

Three outstanding participants may receive an additional fully funded opportunity to attend the Africa Investigative Journalism Conference (AIJC) 2026, scheduled to take place in Kenya from 10 to 12 November 2026.

Selected journalists will have the chance to present and discuss the stories developed through the programme, providing international exposure and networking opportunities with leading investigative journalists, editors, researchers, and media development professionals from across Africa and beyond.

Application Process

Interested journalists are required to complete the official application form provided by the organizers.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted regarding the next stages of the selection process.

The deadline for applications is 30 July 2026.

For further information, applicants may contact the Media Foundation for West Africa via email using the subject line “Africa-China Relations Training Workshop.”

Supporting High-Quality International Reporting

The initiative reflects growing efforts to strengthen journalism on international affairs and economic diplomacy in Africa. By providing specialized training, financial support, and reporting opportunities, the programme aims to help journalists produce more informed, evidence-based, and impactful coverage of one of the most significant geopolitical relationships shaping the continent today.

As Africa’s engagement with China continues to evolve, the organizers hope the workshop will contribute to stronger public-interest journalism and more nuanced reporting on issues affecting development, governance, and international cooperation across West Africa.

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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.