African journalists need to look beyond crisis-driven coverage and tell more stories about the people and institutions building connections across borders, fellows at the 2026 MTN Media Innovation Summit in South Africa have said.
The call came during a session moderated by one of the MIP fellows Tolulope Ajibola, titled “Storytelling Across Borders: Finding the Untold Nigeria–South Africa Stories,” held as part of the South African study visit for the fifth cohort of the MTN Media Innovation Programme (MIP).
The fellows noted that African journalism often looks beyond national borders when there is a crisis, while stories about entrepreneurs, students, artists, researchers, technology innovators and professionals building relationships across countries receive less attention. They called for more coverage of everyday experiences and relationships between communities in Nigeria and South Africa.
The discussion was part of the two-day summit held at the University of Johannesburg, which brought together 25 senior Nigerian journalists selected from a pool of applicants, alongside South African editors, researchers and media practitioners.
Professor Sifiso Mnisi, Director of the Centre for Data and Digital Communications at the University of Johannesburg, said the summit provided an opportunity for journalists from both countries to examine how media narratives influence relationships between nations and social cohesion.
He noted that perceptions in Nigeria and South Africa are often shaped by news reports, social media and popular culture rather than direct interaction, placing greater responsibility on journalists and editors in shaping how citizens understand one another.
The summit also examined how media practitioners can report conflict without worsening tensions. A session moderated by Progress Godfrey, an MIP 5 Fellow, titled “From Xenophobia to Social Cohesion: Reporting Conflict Without Fueling It,” stressed the importance of historical context, verified information and perspectives from communities working towards reconciliation.
Another session, moderated by Goitsemang Mvula, called for collaborative investigations, regional reporting projects and stronger editorial partnerships to help African audiences understand continental issues beyond national boundaries.
Closing the discussions, Funso Aina, Senior Manager, External Relations at MTN Nigeria, said the summit represented more than a professional development initiative.
He noted that by bringing together journalists, newsroom leaders, content creators and communication professionals, the programme has become a platform for strengthening journalism’s role in promoting democratic participation, regional integration and social cohesion.
