China-Africa Media Forum focuses on audiovisual innovation and AI

The 7th China-Africa Media Cooperation Forum opened in Beijing, bringing together government officials and media professionals from approximately thirty African nations. The forum focuses on the theme of sharing development opportunities and building a new audiovisual future through technological and cultural exchange.

Delegates from several nations emphasized the need for a shift in media relations. Representatives from Niger and Burkina Faso highlighted the importance of information sovereignty, calling for cooperation that moves beyond equipment provision toward genuine technology transfer and skill development. They stressed the necessity for African nations to produce and control their own narratives to counter disinformation.

Senegal advocated for increased partnership regarding artificial intelligence, proposing the creation of African hubs dedicated to AI to train media professionals and modernize audiovisual production. The forum serves as a platform to discuss the impact of digital innovation, generative AI, and the role of media as a catalyst for economic growth and cultural identity across the continent.