Africa-China Trade and Political Relations Journalism Workshop

Deadline: 30-Jul-2026

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), in partnership with the Wits Centre for Journalism (WCJ), is accepting applications for a fully funded three-day journalism workshop on reporting Africa-China relations. The programme covers all participation costs, offers story grants for in-depth reporting, and provides selected participants with the opportunity to compete for fully funded attendance at the Africa Investigative Journalism Conference 2026 in Kenya.

About the MFWA Africa-China Journalism Workshop

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), in collaboration with the Wits Centre for Journalism (WCJ), is organizing a specialized capacity-building workshop for journalists from Anglophone West Africa.

The programme aims to strengthen journalists’ ability to produce accurate, balanced, and investigative reporting on the growing relationship between Africa and China. Participants will gain practical skills, deepen their understanding of Africa-China engagements, and receive support to produce high-quality public interest journalism.

Programme Benefits

Selected participants will receive comprehensive support, including:

• Fully funded participation in the three-day workshop.
• Return economy-class airfare.
• Accommodation.
• Meals.
• Local transportation.
• Story grants for producing in-depth journalism.
• Opportunity to apply for additional reporting grants after the workshop.
• Chance to be selected as one of three journalists to attend the Africa Investigative Journalism Conference (10–12 November 2026) in Kenya with all expenses covered.

Workshop Focus Areas

The training will cover multiple dimensions of Africa-China relations, including:

• Africa-China trade relations.
• Foreign investment.
• Political relations.
• Economic reporting.
• Development reporting.
• Infrastructure projects.
• Extractive industries.
• Environmental reporting.
• International affairs.
• Investigative journalism techniques.
• In-depth reporting methodologies.

Programme Objectives

The workshop seeks to:

• Improve reporting on Africa-China relations.
• Strengthen investigative journalism skills.
• Enhance economic and political reporting.
• Promote evidence-based journalism.
• Increase understanding of international development issues.
• Support high-quality public interest reporting.
• Build the capacity of journalists across West Africa.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must:

• Be based in an Anglophone West African country.
• Be working as a journalist in:
  • Print media.
  • Radio.
  • Television.
  • Digital media.
• Be actively reporting on one or more of the following:
  • Politics.
  • Economy.
  • Business.
  • Trade.
  • Development.
  • Environment.
  • Extractives.
  • Infrastructure.
  • International affairs.

Eligible countries include:

• Ghana.
• Nigeria.
• Sierra Leone.
• Liberia.
• The Gambia.

Additional Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must also:

• Be available to attend the workshop during September–October 2026.
• Obtain a formal permission letter from their editor.
• Commit to full participation in the workshop.
• Be willing to produce in-depth stories after completing the training.

Why This Workshop Matters

Africa-China relations influence trade, infrastructure, investment, diplomacy, natural resources, and development across the continent.

This workshop helps journalists:

• Better understand complex international partnerships.
• Improve investigative reporting skills.
• Produce evidence-based journalism.
• Strengthen accountability reporting.
• Build regional and international professional networks.
• Increase the quality of reporting on economic and geopolitical issues.

How the Programme Works

The programme combines training, mentorship, and reporting opportunities.

Participants will:

1. Attend the fully funded three-day workshop.
2. Receive expert training on Africa-China reporting.
3. Learn investigative and analytical journalism techniques.
4. Develop story ideas with experienced trainers.
5. Apply for story grants.
6. Produce in-depth reports after the workshop.
7. Become eligible for additional reporting grants.
8. Compete for selection to attend the Africa Investigative Journalism Conference in Kenya.

How to Apply

Interested journalists should:

1. Confirm that they meet all eligibility requirements.
2. Ensure they actively report on relevant subject areas.
3. Obtain a formal permission letter from their editor.
4. Confirm availability during the workshop period (September–October 2026).
5. Prepare the required application materials.
6. Submit the application before the official deadline.
7. If selected, participate fully in the workshop and complete the post-training reporting assignments.

Tips for a Strong Application

To improve your chances of selection:

• Demonstrate experience covering governance, business, trade, or development issues.
• Highlight investigative or in-depth reporting experience.
• Show a strong interest in Africa-China relations.
• Explain how the training will strengthen your journalism.
• Provide evidence of quality published work.
• Secure your editor’s approval early.
• Demonstrate commitment to producing impactful stories after the workshop.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common application errors:

• Applying without meeting the country eligibility requirements.
• Failing to obtain an editor’s permission letter.
• Demonstrating little experience in relevant reporting areas.
• Being unavailable during the workshop period.
• Submitting incomplete application materials.
• Not showing commitment to post-workshop reporting.
• Providing weak or unrelated journalism samples.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the MFWA Africa-China Journalism Workshop?

It is a fully funded three-day capacity-building programme designed to strengthen journalists’ reporting on Africa-China relations through practical training, mentorship, and reporting grants.

2. What costs are covered?

The organisers cover:

• Return economy airfare.
• Accommodation.
• Meals.
• Local transportation.
• Workshop participation.

Selected participants may also receive story grants.

3. Who can apply?

Journalists working in print, radio, television, or digital media in Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, or The Gambia who cover politics, trade, business, development, environment, infrastructure, extractives, or international affairs.

4. Are there additional funding opportunities after the workshop?

Yes. Participants may apply for additional reporting grants, and three outstanding journalists may receive fully funded participation in the Africa Investigative Journalism Conference in Kenya.

5. Is an editor’s permission required?

Yes. Applicants must obtain a formal permission letter from their editor confirming their availability to attend the workshop.

6. When will the workshop take place?

The workshop will be held during the September–October 2026 period (last quarter of 2026).

7. What is expected after the training?

Selected journalists are expected to produce and publish in-depth stories on Africa-China relations using the knowledge and skills gained during the workshop.

Conclusion

The MFWA Africa-China Journalism Workshop 2026 offers journalists across Anglophone West Africa an exceptional opportunity to strengthen their reporting on one of the continent’s most significant international partnerships. With fully funded training, reporting grants, mentorship, and the possibility of attending the Africa Investigative Journalism Conference 2026, the programme equips participants with the knowledge, resources, and professional networks needed to produce impactful, evidence-based journalism on Africa-China relations.

For more information, visit MFWA.