Skip to main content

Search

Financial Journalism Training Program

Overview

The reporting of business and financial journalists plays an important role in the economic development of Africa. Their articles inform citizens, investors, business executives, civil society leaders and public officials. Comprehensive, accurate coverage promotes transparency, accountability, and good governance, which contribute to economic growth and greater prosperity.

In 2015, the Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa (BMIA) team collaborated with a consortium of African journalism and business universities to develop a highly innovative, integrated, and practical world-class training program firmly rooted in African market realities. The BMIA Financial Journalism Training (FJT) program features top faculty from outstanding local institutions of higher learning, supplemented by Bloomberg business journalists. The sessions also draw upon experts from the media, business, and government. FJT is offered to journalists and mid-career professionals in business, government and civil society. Program participants have free access throughout the training to the comprehensive data and information available on the Bloomberg Terminal®. Tuition and program costs are covered by Bloomberg and its foundation partners.

The BMIA FJT certificate training modules include: Media Landscape, Economics, Finance and Accounting, Financial Journalism, Public Policy, Financial Markets, Environmental Justice, Extractions and the practicalities of Data Analysis, Interpretation and Presentation.

The BMIA training program is designed (19 days over 6 months) to enable participants to stay on the job and apply their learning in real time.

The FJT program employs a learning management system to facilitate ongoing learning, share reporting by program graduates, collaborate on syndicate projects and maintain the professional relationships formed during the training.

The BMIA FJT team contracted with an independent firm of expert external evaluators to conduct audits, surveys, and interviews to identify issues and make program adjustments in real time. The BMIA FJT program is supported by Bloomberg, Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Ford Foundation and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation.

Delegates in the Classroom, BMIA Financial Journalism Training Program Intake 2, Accra, Ghana (2019).
Delegates in the Classroom, BMIA Financial Journalism Training Program Intake 1, Lusaka, Zambia (2019).
Delegates in the classroom at the BMIA Financial Journalism Training Program in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (2019).
Delegates in the classroom at the BMIA Financial Journalism Training Program in Accra, Ghana (2019).
Erana Stennett at the BMIA Financial Journalism Training Program Faculty Workshop in Nairobi, Kenya (2018).
David Malingha, Aguil Deng, Jennifer Bisgard, The Honorable Dr. Harrison Mwakyembe, MP, Former Minister of for Information, Culture, Artists, and Sports, Tanzania and Dr. George Njenga at the launch of the Financial Journalism Training Program in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (2019).
Dr. Andrew Phiri speaking to delegates during orientation at the BMIA Financial Journalism Training Program in Lusaka, Zambia (2019).
Dr. Leo Ukpong with delegates at the BMIA Financial Journalism Training Program in Lagos, Nigeria (2017).
Udo Usigwe speaking to delegates during orientation at the BMIA Financial Journalism Training Program in Johannesburg, South Africa (2017).
Dr. Fidelis Muzyamba and Cherian Thomas the BMIA Financial Journalism Training Program Faculty Workshop in Nairobi, Kenya (2018).
Chris Hock, Dr. Ismail Ibrahim, Dr. Wambui Kiai, Dr. Geofrey Injeni, and Ryan Hancocks at the BMIA Financial Journalism Training Program Faculty Workshop in Johannesburg, South Africa (2018).
Delegates in the Classroom BMIA Financial Journalism Training Program in Nairobi, Kenya (2016).

Highlights

  • Mike Bloomberg launches the Financial Journalism Training program in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2015
  • Bloomberg LP collaborates with a consortium of preeminent journalism and business schools across six key African countries to develop and deliver a highly innovative, integrated, and practical world-class financial journalism training program firmly rooted in African market realities.
  • FJT universities selected: Gordon Institute of Business Science, Rhodes University of Journalism and Media Studies, Strathmore Business School, University of Nairobi School of Journalism and Mass Communications, Pan-Atlantic University-Lagos Business School, University of Lagos Department of Mass Communication and Radio
  • Appointment of FJT Secretariat, the University of Pretoria Gordon Institute of Business (GIBS), South Africa
  • First Financial Journalism Training Program Faculty Training Workshop, Nairobi, Kenya
  • BMIA expands Financial Journalism Training Program to five new countries on the continent
  • Phase 2 FJT program is launched in Ghana in 2018
  • Appointment of Phase 2 FJT Secretariat, Strathmore University Business School (SBS), Kenya
  • Phase 2 universities selected: Ghana Institute of Journalism, University of Ghana Business School, University of Lusaka School of Business Economics and Management, University of Zambia Department of Media and Communication Studies, University of Dar es Salaam Business School, University of Dar es Salaam School of Journalism and Mass Communication
  • FJT program to be offered in Côte d’Ivoire and Sénégal in 2022.
  • The BMIA certificate training program is accredited by the Rhodes University School of Journalism and Media Studies.
  • Journalists from major media houses across the continent enrolled in the program, which was endorsed by the Ghana Institute of Journalism, University of Ghana School of Business, University of Zambia School of Business, University of Lusaka School of Journalism, University of Dar es Salaam, the Nigerian Press Council, and the Kenyan Press Council
  • An alumni network established features unique offerings to promote ongoing professional development, networking, and cross-collaboration.

By the Numbers:

59 faculty members trained

16 countries represented

785 journalists and mid-level professionals complete the Financial Journalism Training program

8 countries host the FJT program

220 media houses participate

17 intakes delivered

42% female participation

The Financial Journalism Training Participating Universities:

Who should apply?

This program has been primarily developed for mid-career journalists and financial professionals with an interest in financial journalism; government professionals responsible for public policy, communications and finance portfolios; and development practitioners and civil society professionals with an interest in African development and financial and economic data.

To learn more about the program, please click here.

9 Faculty Training Workshops

56 Faculty Trained

186 Graduates Completed Bloomberg Market Concepts

12 Bloomberg hires

We are pleased to be attending yet another BMIA milestone event in Zambia and be part of the launch of the financial journalism training program in the country. The Zambian economy is constantly evolving and changing, so it is crucial that the press develops accordingly. I am confident that this program will support the continuous progression of the Zambian media by exposing them to leading financial journalism experts.

The Honorable Dora Siliya , MP, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, Zambia

We’ve seen the impact the BMIA Financial Journalism Training Programme had in other markets, so we are very excited to extend the program to Ghana and Zambia. We hope the training helps participants navigate the evolving Ghanaian and African economic and business landscape, ultimately furthering the development, quality, accuracy and impact of the financial journalism field in Africa.

Erana Stennett , Director, BMIA

We are pleased that BMIA has launched its financial journalism training programme in Ghana. The Ghanaian economy is becoming increasingly complex, so it is crucial that the Ghanaian press develops accordingly. I am confident that this programme will support continuous progression of the Ghanaian media by exposing them to leading financial journalism experts.

The Honorable Kojo Oppong Nkrumah , MP, Minister for Information, Ghana

The role of the media, considered as the fourth estate of the realm, is very significant in every country’s development agenda. This is because aside serving as an important watchdog on the rights and freedoms of the citizenry, it has the important duty of providing accurate and relevant information to the people. This in turn helps the citizens to understand better the world around them and make informed choices in their personal and professional lives. In Africa in particular, the media has always been a vital partner in the development process, especially with the advent of social media.

The Honorable Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh , MP, Minister for Education, Ghana

The Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa Financial Journalism Training Program is an outstanding executive program that has been tried and tested. We are fortunate as a country to have been selected for Phase two of the program. The University of Zambia is very excited to be part of this great initiative.

Professor Luke E. Mumba , Vice Chancellor, the University of Zambia

Economics, business and finance are at the heart of everything that we do, and it must be an integral part of reporting the media. I have no doubt, that as a result of this program, finance will be at the heart of improved media reporting. The media plays an important role in ensuring that citizens are well informed, and also that Zambians can use that information to make informed decisions.

Professor Luke E. Mumba , Vice Chancellor, the University of Zambia

Related Articles

Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa Expands Financial Journalism Training Program to Five New Countries on the Continent

June 11, 2019

The Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa (BMIA) today announced the expansion of its Financial Journalism Training (FJT) program to Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire and Tanzania, joining Ghana and Zambia where training programs launched earlier this year.

Read more

Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa Launches Financial Journalism Training Program in Zambia

January 21, 2019

The Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa (BMIA) Financial Journalism Training Program to advance business and financial reporting was launched today in Zambia.

Read more

Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa Launches Financial Journalism Training Program in Ghana

January 14, 2019

The Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa (BMIA) Financial Journalism Training Program to advance business and financial reporting was launched today in Ghana.

Read more

Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa Financial Journalism Training Program Marks First Year with More Than 250 Graduates

February 23, 2016

The Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa (BMIA) Executive Training Program to advance financial journalism in Africa marks the completion of its first year this month with 260 graduates receiving recognition at graduation ceremonies in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa.

Read more

Partners

Underwritten by

With support from