African Women in Media (AWiM), in a powerhouse collaboration with the African Union (AU) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), has just dropped a bombshell of 25 multimedia investigative reports.
This is all part of their ambitious Move Africa 2025 project, a journalistic tour-de-force that rips open the often-ignored gendered dimensions of migration within Africa.
Forget the tired, old narratives of suffering and despair! Move Africa 2025 is flipping the script, spotlighting stories of innovation, bustling trade, and vibrant cultural exchange.
These aren’t just statistics; these are the raw, unfiltered experiences of African women on the move.
From the Democratic Republic of Congo to Kenya, Malawi to Zambia, Nigeria to Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal to Morocco, and all the way down to Madagascar, these reports paint a vivid, deeply human picture of the opportunities and hurdles faced by those navigating the continent’s dynamic migration landscape.
Each of these commissioned reports is a long-form investigative feature, presented in a minimum of three multimedia formats.
We’re talking hard-hitting written articles, compelling documentaries, stunning photojournalism, insightful podcasts, eye-catching infographics, and engaging social media storytelling.
This isn’t just news; it’s a full-on media assault, making it one of the most expansive journalistic undertakings on migration and gender in Africa to date.
“Move Africa 2025 isn’t just about policy; it’s a testament to the power of people,” declared Oluwatoyin Adeoye, Co-Managing Editor of AWiM News.
“Our fellows followed the incredible journeys of market women, dedicated nurses, innovative creatives, climate pioneers, and shrewd entrepreneurs.
What they uncovered were powerful narratives of agency and cross-border kinship – stories that are criminally absent from most African migration reporting.”
Lolade Alaka, also a Co-Managing Editor, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Migration within Africa is constantly reduced to a ‘crisis,’ but the truth is far more nuanced, dynamic, and urgent.
Move Africa 2025 shatters that limited view by putting women at the forefront – not just as migrants, but as economic powerhouses, cultural bridges, and policy shakers.”
The fellowship brought together 25 seasoned journalists with between 5 and 15 years of experience from across the continent.
They received top-tier editorial guidance, invaluable mentorship, and rigorous peer review.
In a smart move, they even partnered with Barazalab, another Move Africa grantee, to provide a month-long Data Foundations Course, sharpening their skills in sourcing and presenting crucial data.
The result? A high-impact collection of underreported, gender-aware narratives that delve into everything from the challenges of cross-border health access in Malawi and Kenya, to the booming fashion trade between Zimbabwe and Eswatini, and even how resilient migrant women from Uganda are breathing new life into rice farming in Kenya’s West Ahero region.
“Far too often, migration stories are told from a sterile distance, by outsiders who speak over African women instead of with them,” said Dr. Yemisi Akinbobola, AWiM Co-founder.
“We launched Move Africa 2025 to fundamentally change that. These stories are our stories, reported by African women journalists who know the crucial questions to ask and the truths that absolutely demand to be heard.”
This groundbreaking initiative aligns perfectly with the AU’s Agenda 2063, which champions free movement as a cornerstone of African development and regional integration.
By making visible the everyday impact of migration frameworks – both their triumphs and their failures – on women and marginalized communities, Move Africa 2025 is a vital step forward.
“Our vision at AWiM has always been about transforming media narratives by and about African women,” added Bamidele Ogunleye, AWiM Co-founder. “This project is the embodiment of that vision.
These stories don’t just inform; they provoke thought, forge connections, and inspire action. They are a direct challenge to media houses, policymakers, and global audiences to broaden their understanding of African migration beyond the limited ‘crisis’ lens.”
The good news? Move Africa 2025 is now open for syndication! Editors, platforms, and news organizations are urged to review and publish these captivating stories.
An editorial catalogue, complete with titles, summaries, countries of focus, and available formats, is ready for the taking. Look out for these powerful narratives hitting confirmed partner platforms, including Al Jazeera, Minority Africa, and Now Accra, starting this June 2025.
