A new pan-African initiative aimed at reshaping how Africa tells its stories to the world is set to launch in Accra on May 26, as communication professionals, creatives, diplomats, and storytellers gather to mark Africa Day with a renewed call for authentic African narratives.

Africans Communicating Africa (AfriComms Africa), a foundation dedicated to strengthening African storytelling and empowering a new generation of communicators, will officially unveil its vision during a summit expected to spark important conversations about Africa’s image in a rapidly changing digital and artificial intelligence-driven world.

The launch event, themed around reclaiming Africa’s voice and identity, is expected to attract leading professionals from academia, governance, corporate communications, diplomacy, the media, and the creative arts. Participants will examine how Africans can better shape global conversations around sustainability, climate communication, political communication, corporate communication, and diplomacy.

Youth and Digital Storytelling in Focus

Organisers believe the timing of the summit is significant as Africa increasingly finds itself at the center of global conversations shaped by digital media, youth activism, innovation, and emerging technologies.

The summit will also focus on how young Africans are using storytelling, social media, and digital platforms to influence perceptions about the continent, while challenging stereotypes that have historically dominated international narratives about Africa.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Communications for Development Advocate, Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, said the initiative seeks to create a meaningful platform for collaboration and fresh thinking among African communicators.

“The Communicating Africa Summit brings together and showcases leading voices in Ghana and across Africa from different communication spaces, reflecting the evolving landscape of African storytelling.

“Africa has never lacked communicators. What Africa needs are alternative, rich spaces where communicators can come together to exchange ideas, challenge perspectives, inspire new thinking, and collectively shape stronger, more authentic African narratives for the world.”
Georgina Asare Fiagbenu

Building a Stronger African Narrative

According to organisers, the launch is not merely an event but the beginning of a broader movement focused on strengthening Africa’s narrative power and amplifying stories that reflect the continent’s realities, achievements, cultures, innovations, and aspirations.

The initiative comes at a time when African voices are increasingly demanding greater representation and ownership over how the continent is portrayed globally. From business and technology to culture and governance, many African professionals argue that the continent’s progress is often overshadowed by outdated stereotypes and external interpretations.

Playwright and international storyteller, Nii Commey, stressed the urgency of Africans taking control of their own stories and communicating them confidently to the world.

“The time for Africans to own and tell their own stories is now. If we do not define ourselves and communicate our realities with confidence and authenticity.”
Nii Commey

Though his statement was left unfinished in the release, the message strongly underscored the growing concern among African storytellers that external voices continue to dominate narratives about the continent.

AI and the Future of African Communication

Industry observers say the rise of artificial intelligence, digital content creation, and social media has created both opportunities and challenges for Africa’s communication landscape. While technology has made storytelling more accessible, it has also increased the spread of misinformation, stereotypes, and distorted representations.

AfriComms Africa hopes to address these challenges by building a strong network of professionals and institutions committed to presenting balanced, authentic, and forward-looking African stories.

The organisation is also expected to encourage collaboration between media professionals, creatives, academics, policy experts, and young communicators who are passionate about reshaping Africa’s image on the global stage.

Call for African Storytellers to Join the Movement

Organisers have extended an open invitation to African communicators, media practitioners, creatives, storytellers, and institutions that believe in the power of authentic African narratives to participate in the launch and become part of the growing movement.

As Africa celebrates another Africa Day, the launch of AfriComms Africa is expected to serve as a powerful reminder that the continent’s future narratives must increasingly be shaped by Africans themselves, with clarity, confidence, authenticity, and purpose.

Updates and participation details are available on it website on AFRICANS COMMUNICATING AFRICA – Narrating Africa. Owning the Story and on social media platforms, including Facebook, LinkedIn, and X.