In 2022, there were 415 million smartphone subscriptions in Sub-Saharan Africa. Based on the steady growth seen in earlier years, this number is expected to reach 689 million by 2028.
During the three-day seminar, the participants were taught to explore the “digital beast,” the smartphone, its camera possibilities, different angles and movements in shooting, lighting, microphones, interview skills, and more. They were trained to shoot and edit photos and videos and use social media for publishing and distribution. It also stressed real-time reporting, teamwork and ethical considerations involved in this type of journalism, finally being digital missionaries. The training covered various aspects of Mobile Journalism, including reporting, visual storytelling, and utilizing mobile platforms to disseminate news and other content. The training gave the participants a lot of hands-on experience.
At the end of the training, the participants felt they had gained sufficient knowledge to embark on a mission to tell African stories to the world. This training reflects the growing trend in Africa, where Mobile Journalism and content creation are gaining popularity. Smartphones are expected to continue evolving, with journalists and content creators adapting to new technologies and storytelling to meet the demands of modern news consumption.
There were 13 participants: 8 from Kenya, 2 from South Sudan, and 3 from Tanzania. At the end of the training, the participants were awarded a certificate.
Special thanks go to Fr. Gildasio Mendes, the General Counsellor for Social Communication, who let Maciej Makula SDB and Aleksandra Stankiewicz from the Social Communication Department come to and facilitate this training. “We acknowledge with gratitude Makula and Stankiewicz’s hard work in training the AFE and TZA communication delegates. We also thank the provincial of AFE, who sponsored and encouraged this training” expressed the participants.
