The final communique issued at the conclusion of Africast 2025 (the 14th Biennial media event) held in Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria, from October 20 to 24, emphasised the importance of Africa leading its own digital future, focusing on media freedom, data sovereignty, and inclusive growth.
Mrs Dotun Olaitan, the Executive Chairman of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State, was instrumental in moving the adoption of the communique, which was seconded by Mr Solomon Oyeleke, Head of Programs at SEAP 89.1 FM, Okeho, Oyo State. The comminqué highlighted the need to instil indigenous cultural values, discipline, and responsibility in African children and youth through carefully crafted broadcast content to protect them from potential harm in the digital landscape.
Recognising children’s vulnerability and significance for the future, the conference called for their active participation in future Africast discussions regarding policies that affect them. It also underscored the necessity of utilising educational and entertainment content as transformative tools for cultural preservation and social change within the modern digital context.
The communique urged Africa to strengthen its intellectual property and data protection laws, ensuring the preservation of cultural heritage while protecting consumers from privacy violations, online defamation, and harmful content. The need for public awareness concerning digital rights was also highlighted.
It was noted that regulators should broaden their focus beyond urban areas and develop financially sustainable models to reach rural communities, leveraging the combined capabilities of telecommunications, cloud computing, and satellite technology.
Concerns were raised about the lack of recognition and fair compensation for artists who create content that reflects positive African values. While the global success of Afrobeats was acknowledged as a source of national pride for Nigeria, the conference pointed out the troubling presence of nudity and pornography within some elements of the genre, driven by audience demand. This juxtaposition presents a cultural challenge that requires proactive policy measures.
The communique addressed the need for greater collaboration among regulatory agencies and stakeholders to adapt to the rapid advances in digital technology. It advocated regulatory convergence to navigate the evolving digital landscape effectively while avoiding regulatory gaps and overlaps.
Additionally, it noted that outdated laws impede effective regulation and that education is vital for understanding what needs regulation. The need to develop updated legislation to empower national media regulators to oversee digital platforms and emerging technologies was emphasised, alongside calls for rules on unregistered online broadcasters.
Digital infrastructure should be recognised as essential national assets, the communique asserted, and regulatory bodies must implement forward-thinking policies to boost local content providers and foster innovation. African governments are encouraged to enhance continental cooperation, modernise institutions, and ensure seamless digital integration and connectivity.
In summary, the communique stressed that Africa must take the lead in shaping its digital future, ensuring it is characterised by media freedom, data sovereignty, and inclusive growth for all its citizens. To achieve these goals, African regulators need structural and financial independence, alongside inclusive legal frameworks. It also called for governments to subsidise infrastructure development and establish financial interventions akin to Western models to make operational costs manageable and eliminate the digital divide.
