Africa and China Deepen Media Cooperation as AI Reshapes News Industry

Africa and China are deepening cooperation in the media sector as digital transformation and artificial intelligence reshape the way news and audiovisual content are produced, distributed and consumed.

The 7th Forum on China-Africa Media Cooperation opened in Beijing under the theme “Share Development Opportunities, Shape the Audio-Visual Future,” bringing together media leaders and professionals from across Africa and China to discuss the rapidly changing industry.

The forum comes at a time when artificial intelligence is increasingly being integrated into journalism, broadcasting, video production and digital content creation.

Building African Media Capacity

Gregoire Ndjaka, CEO and Director General of the African Union of Broadcasting, said media cooperation should extend beyond technology and contribute to stronger cultural connections between Africa and China.

Ndjaka highlighted growing opportunities for African journalists and media professionals to receive training in China and across the African continent, including programmes focused on the use of artificial intelligence in content production.

He stressed that African countries should not simply become consumers of AI technologies but should develop the skills needed to understand, adapt and deploy the technology according to their own development priorities.

AI as a Development Opportunity

According to Ndjaka, artificial intelligence could provide Africa with an opportunity to accelerate development by improving productivity, expanding access to information and strengthening the continent's media capabilities.

However, achieving those benefits will depend on investment in skills, training and knowledge-sharing.

As newsrooms and broadcasters increasingly adopt AI-powered tools, African media organisations face the challenge of ensuring that journalists are adequately prepared to work alongside emerging technologies while maintaining professional standards, editorial independence and public trust.

Shaping the Future of African Media

The discussions in Beijing underline the growing importance of international cooperation as Africa navigates the digital transformation of its media industry.

For African media professionals, access to technology alone may not be enough. Developing local expertise and the capacity to adapt emerging technologies to African realities will be critical to ensuring that the continent plays an active role in shaping its digital future.

The China-Africa media partnership therefore comes at a pivotal moment, with skills development, technology and knowledge exchange emerging as key areas of cooperation in an increasingly AI-driven media environment.