Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa opens applications in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa

Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa partners with key African universities to provide executive training for the advancement of financial journalism…

Financial journalists and professionals interested in financial journalism can now apply to the Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa (BMIA) Executive Training Program 2015. The program, which is funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, with additional support from the Ford Foundation, brings together six preeminent business and journalism schools in Africa, to offer applicants the opportunity to develop their skills andknowledge about financial reporting.

Leading faculty from the University of Nairobi’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication and Strathmore Business School in Kenya; Rhodes University’s School of Journalism and Media Studies in South Africa; the University of Lagos’s Department of Mass Communication and the Pan Atlantic University’s Lagos Business School in Nigeria, will develop and deliver this unique multi-disciplinary training program that combines instruction in public policy, business, journalism, capital markets and data, with an emphasis on democratic values and professional integrity.

Interested parties who possess a recognised tertiary qualification (degree or diploma) and have experience in journalism or a related field are encouraged to apply on www.gibs.co.za/bmia or email bmia@gibs.co.za for further information.

“The Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa (BMIA) is designed to increase the number of journalists and others able to strengthen the contribution of business and financial media to the sustainable development of Africa,” said Erana Stennett, BMIA Program Director.We believe the graduates of this training will be well equipped to make a greater contribution to citizens, public officials and investors, and to transparency, governance and accountability.

The BMIA, which spans three years, is a $10 million commitment launched by Michael R. Bloomberg in 2014 with the aim of building media capacity and advancing transparency, accountability and good governance in Africa.Speaking at the launch, Bloomberg commented that well-trained financial journalists can have an immeasurable impact in advancing economic and social growth.

Dr. Lucy Voss-Price, Program Director at GIBS, commented, “This program is a turning point for data-driven financial journalism on the continent. If you want to be one of the most informed, employable and credible business and financial journalists, this course will set provide you with everything that you need.”

The six-month certificate program has been developed primarily for mid-career journalists – especially those with an interest in moving into financial journalism, financial professionals with an interest in financial journalism, government professionals responsible for public policy, communications and banking/financial specialists, civil society and NGO professionals with a stake in communicating of economic and financial data.