Resilience of Independent Media

Working to curb illicit financial flows

Every year, Africa is estimated to lose approximately USD 88.6 billion to illicit financial flows (IFFs), limiting economic development and undermining social progress and national stability. Focusing on Kenya, Ghana, Mozambique, Rwanda and Tanzania, our multi-year project aims to improve accountability, transparency and the effectiveness of domestic tax systems. Our training of journalists and support of civil society organisations empowers citizens of African countries to hold their governments accountable and reduces the loss of resources from the content.

A week after an investigative report on cyber-fraud in Ghana was published, the Minister of Communication, Ursula Owusu, promised to establish a Cyber Security Advisory team to revise the National Cyber Security Policy and Strategy. A new cyber security law is expected to be passed shortly. A story on using wheelchair-users to smuggle goods across the Kenya/ Uganda border prompted officials from Kenyan Education and Social Welfare Ministries to launch an investigation. Read more impact from this project.

Enabling local media to reach vulnerable communities

Our 12-month media training programme, funded by Refinitiv Charities, helped Radio Loliondo FM, a community radio station serving audiences spanning parts of Tanzania and Kenya, to engage vulnerable communities with critical information. We upskilled Tanzanian journalists and supported aspiring reporters in Kenya to propel the reach and impact of the station, and helped develop radio programmes in the local language. As a result, a local woman stopped practicing FGM, and listeners reported they were previously unaware of its harm.

“Women are listening to and calling the radio in big numbers. This has been the first time we have heard a person from Samunge speak on the radio. In September alone, 23 women phoned the radio station during the airing of the program on Saturday.”

– Rozimeri Berere, Sale listening group