Day 2 of the Broadcast and Digital Media Convention – West Africa 2025 delivered a powerful mix of strategic conversations, forward-looking innovations, and regulatory insight, as top stakeholders in broadcasting, digital media, and technology convened to shape the region’s media future.
The day opened with a compelling keynote address by Mr. Charles Ebuebu, Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). In his address, Mr. Ebuebu emphasised the urgency for African broadcasters to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation, noting that “Artificial Intelligence is not the future—it is already here.” He urged broadcasters to embed AI into their production, regulation, and distribution processes while remaining firmly rooted in cultural integrity and ethical content development.
Among the day’s standout sessions was a high-level leaders’ discussion on “Radio Broadcast Services in the AI-Driven Digital Ecosystem.” Experts and executives from the radio industry explored how AI technologies transform traditional radio into a more dynamic and data-driven medium. Executives discussed how AI-generated content, automated voice technology, and smart distribution through virtual assistants and connected devices reshape how audiences experience radio. There was consensus that the future lies in hybrid broadcast models combining terrestrial transmission with digital streaming and using analytics to personalise content for more targeted engagement.
Another engaging panel focused on “Winning with Content Streaming: Platforms, Partnerships, and Revenue Strategies,” which examined the region’s key drivers of sustainable streaming services. Speakers underscored the importance of strategic partnerships between content creators, telecom companies, and technology platforms to improve affordability and access. They highlighted how the future of streaming lies in producing localised content that reflects the diversity and richness of West African culture, while developing flexible business models that combine advertising, subscription tiers, and syndication. The panel concluded with a call for deeper cross-border collaboration to create a truly competitive digital content economy.
The recurring theme across all sessions was clear: collaboration and innovation are essential to the region’s broadcasting evolution. Industry leaders, regulators, and entrepreneurs expressed a strong commitment to building a digitally vibrant, economically sustainable, and culturally grounded media ecosystem in West Africa.
To view/watch the highlights from the event, click/tap here.
