Media influencers meet over future of data

Media influencers meet over future of data

Nation Media Group, Radio Africa Group, Mediamax Network Limited, The Mail &Guardian and Washington media executives are among the industry leaders meeting in Naivasha, Kenya to discuss the future of data and Financial Journalism.

Ten two-day event started  on Monday morning and has representatives from 11 countries – including nine African nations, the USA and the UK. The Africa Business Media Innovators Forum is convened by Bloomberg and hosted by Justin Smith, CEO of Bloomberg Media, and Matthew Winkler, Co-Founder of Bloomberg News and Editor Emeritus. The summit will explore the role of data as a key driver of successful business and financial journalism and, in turn, of economic growth on the continent.

Media influencers meet over future of data

The  Bloomberg Africa Business Media Innovators ABMI 2016 brings together media owners, senior editors, investors, entrepreneurs, data and development experts from Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, UK, and the USA. The participants will also explore how improved analysis of, access to, and distribution of public data will lead to stronger governments, better reporting, healthier businesses, and faster pathways to social and economic progress.

Matthew Winkler, Co-Founder of Bloomberg News and Editor Emeritus said: “Reliable, accessible data is essential to strong financial reporting and critical to driving inclusive and sustainable economic growth on the continent. It is encouraging to see industry peers from diverse nations and industries coming together in recognition of the power of data to drive growth.”

In addition to attending panel discussions and presentations, speakers and participants will collaborate in cross-sector, interactive working sessions. This will help them develop new strategies for optimizing the success of Africa’s media industry. Speakers will include former President of the African Development Bank Dr. Donald Kaberuka, Edward Boateng, Chairman, Global Media Alliance Group and Nunu Ntshingila, Head of Africa, Facebook. Other speakers include Pali Lehohla, Statistician-General for Statistics, South Africa and Dr. Solomon Assefa, Director, IBM Research- Africa among others.