French-speaking Africa

Francophone Africa refers to all African countries that share the French language. This includes more than 18 contiguous countries where French is used as an official and/or lingua franca. These countries cover a vast territory, representing nearly half of the African continent, approximately 5,000 kilometers from north to south and approximately 4,000 kilometers from east to west (from Tangier in northern Morocco to Lubumbashi in southern DRC). In 2018, there were an estimated 140 million African French speakers in 31 French-speaking African countries and territories. French arrived in Africa with colonization by France and Belgium, and these African French speakers now form the largest part of the Francophonie. Don't hesitate to ask if you need any further information! 😊

Radio Koode Kisndam in Dourbali, in the Chari Barguimi region, was officially inaugurated on February 13, World Radio Day. This unique and unprecedented event marked a milestone in the history of the town, which now has its very first radio station.

Dourbali, February 21, 2025

Administrative authorities, including the regional governor, as well as traditional and religious authorities, were present alongside the residents of Dourbali to celebrate this instrument, in which they have placed all their hopes for long-awaited development.

Radio Koode Kisndam, housed in its own premises built by its promoter, Moussa Batchaguine, nicknamed here "the pastor of the Bororos," broadcasts on 99.1 FM with a 1,000-watt transmitter and a 42-meter-high tower. It will serve a cosmopolitan and predominantly Muslim population, which is very attached to oral tradition and listening to the radio.

Although dedicated and open to the public, Koode Kisndam still faces the challenge of completing its facilities, notably by installing a lightning rod to protect its equipment from the frequent electrical storms in the region.

Médias Ebène contributed to this launch by providing comprehensive training to the radio teams, covering topics such as rigorous financial resource management, fundraising, marketing, the use of artificial intelligence in program creation, and the use of technical equipment. These training sessions were led by our volunteers Christian Gaspoz and Emmanuel Ziehli.

Administrative authorities, including the regional governor, as well as traditional and religious leaders, joined the residents of Dourbali to celebrate the inauguration of this new radio station.

Radio Télé Evangile Réconciliation (RTER) is located in Nyankunde, in the province of Ituri, in eastern Congo. In September 2002, the Nyankunde Medical Center suffered one of the worst massacres of the Ituri conflict. Over a period of 10 days, Germain Katanga's Ngiti fighters, later known as the FRPI, killed at least 12,000 people in Nyankunde and the surrounding area. The concept of reconciliation promoted by Jean Luc Simbilyabo's radio station is not overused. Very recently, he shared with us this masterful example of "integral radio," which we are pleased to share with you here.

The quest for gold and its challenges

The history of Radio Télé Evangile Réconciliation (RTER Nyankunde) is closely linked to that of the gold miners. These courageous gold seekers, despite difficult conditions, work tirelessly to improve their lives and those of their communities, demonstrating exemplary solidarity and resilience.

Every day, men and women set out in search of gold in remote areas, armed with rudimentary tools and unwavering determination. Without modern equipment, their task is difficult and their productivity limited. Nevertheless, they persevere, not only to provide for their families, but also to support local projects, including our radio station.

Radio as a pillar of the community

Their story is remarkable, particularly because of their financial support for our station, despite their low incomes. They recognize the importance of local media in giving the community a voice, informing, educating, and uniting people. This support allows us to maintain and expand our programming, thereby linking their work to the development of the region.

In return, our radio station offers specific programs to help gold miners, informing them about resource management, best practices in health and safety, and their rights. The radio station provides them with a platform for expression and exchange, strengthening solidarity and promoting collective solutions. The effects are visible: gold miners now see their profession as an opportunity for transformation.

A future filled with hope

However, gold miners face major challenges, including limited access to medical care and protective equipment. Children suffer from malnutrition and premature deaths are common. Despite these hardships, they aspire to a better future.

Local authorities' support for artisanal gold mining offers an alternative to young people who are often tempted to join armed groups. In eastern DRC, this activity represents tangible hope for thousands of families.

With better support, gold miners could increase their production and positive impact on the community, transforming their lives and strengthening local projects such as our radio station. Their courage and determination, with the right support, pave the way for a future where everyone contributes to collective development, building a better world for future generations.

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Jean Luc Simbilyabo, director of Radio Télé Évangile et Réconciliation in Nyankunde, during the first training seminar held in Lomé in 2019.

Pontarlier, December 27, 2024. In early December, the associations "Comité de Soutien à l'Enfance de Lomé" (CSEL) and "Médias Ebène" signed an agreement concerning the administrative and financial takeover of the "Les Enfants de la Plage" project, initiated by Médias Ebène in 2019 in Lomé. This agreement also includes a new collaboration in the field, effective from 2025, for the benefit of street children in Lomé. Explanations.

A project launched in 2019 takes on a new dimension

Launched in January 2019 during the first knowledge transfer seminar entitled Lomé1, this project initially involved around ten children living on the beach near the Kodjoviakopé neighborhood, a few dozen meters from the Ghanaian border. Médias Ebène supported the family of Haruna and Essenam Gotoechan, allowing them to free up time for visits and a monthly meal. Last December, 237 meals were distributed, demonstrating the growing scale of the project.

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December 14, 2024, 237 meals were donated at Lomé beach.

A strategic collaboration to maximize impact

However, as caring for street children did not fall within the objectives of the Médias Ebène association, which specializes in "supporting media development in French-speaking Africa," the association applied for authorization to issue tax receipts. In this context, Médias Ebène approached CSEL in Paris in 2024 to ask if they could receive donations for the children and redirect them to the association managing the work on the ground in Lomé. An agreement was signed on December 1, allowing for a first fruitful exchange of experiences. It should be noted that CSEL already issues tax receipts for French residents.

Gérard Yovo, CAJED coordinator, and the children at the shelter

Fieldwork assessment: Clear synergy

The impact on the ground has been very positive. CSEL funds the Comité d’Aide aux Jeunes en Difficulté (CAJED), created in 1996 in Lomé, which focuses primarily on street children. CAJED has two care centers, including a shelter, and carries out outreach work and important social work, including with the children's families where they exist. During a recent visit, representatives from Médias Ebène were able to assess the quality of the work being done and identify many potential synergies with the "Les Enfants de la Plage" project. Mr. Yovo from CAJED and Mr. Gotoechan from "Les Enfants de la Plage" expressed mutual appreciation for each other's work and recognized the humanitarian values shared by their organizations.

On the left, Gérard Yovo, coordinator of CAJED, and Haruna Gotoechan, coordinator of "Enfants de la Plage" (Children of the Beach).

New benefits for donors

For current Médias Ebène donors specifically committed to "Les Enfants de la Plage," it is necessary to update your bank details (please request them here). Donations will now be directed to CSEL in Paris, which will transfer them to Lomé. French donors will thus receive a tax receipt for donations made in 2025. Unfortunately, this tax exemption is not available to Swiss donors. Médias Ebène welcomes this development, particularly the significant synergies that are emerging in both Europe and Togo. With the situation of children in Lomé deteriorating, this pooling of resources is entirely to their benefit.

Learn more about the Lomé Child Support Committee (CSEL)

Learn more about the Committee for Assistance to Youth in Difficulty (CAJED)

Request CSEL bank details (forms)

The capital of Benin, Porto-Novo, will host a training course dedicated to strengthening the capacity of Beninese Christian media in new technologies. As part of its mission to support Christian media in French-speaking Africa, the Forum des Médias Chrétiens d'Afrique Francophone (FOMECAF), in partnership with Médias Ébène, is organizing an event entitled "Media and New Technologies." This training, intended for Beninese Christian media actors, will be held from December 10 to 12, 2024.

A three-day immersion for media professionals

During these three days, participants—including media executives, journalists, presenters, audiovisual technicians, and audiovisual students—will have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and explore the opportunities offered by new technologies in the media field. This initiative aims to equip media professionals with the technical skills and digital tools they need to improve the dissemination of their messages and adapt to the demands of the digital age. The new opportunities offered by the rise of artificial intelligence will be a key focus of the discussions.

Information and registration

Registration is open exclusively to Beninese media professionals. As part of its special partnership with FOMECAF, the Médias Ébène association has sent two speakers to the event: Andrea Luzi, a sound technology specialist, and Emmanuel Ziehli, a digital marketing specialist. This initiative follows on from a previous one in May, when our experts Christian Gaspoz (FM technology) and Denis Steffen (radio) trained around 70 people in Lomé, the capital of Togo.

Phone: (+229) 40 57 15 93
Email: fomecafbenin (at) gmail.com

Andrea Luzi, electronics technician specializing in sound technology
Dr. Augustin Ahoga, retired pastor, economist, and theologian,
Emmanuel Ziehli, Internet pioneer, digital marketing and AI specialist
Jonathan Darboux
Nehemiah Kpétéré University Temple of Benin, SIM radio ministry
Romanic Jessous HAAC Benin

This essential work was entrusted to the talented Togolese graphic designer Abigaïl Hodor and took two months to complete.

The Média Ébène logo, designed for African media outlets, is a distinctive visual representation. Composed of four overlapping semicircles, it forms a rainbow reminiscent of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth symbols, illustrating connectivity and data transfer, which are essential in the media.

The upper yellow semicircle begins at the base of the arch and ends with a small orange circle, symbolizing the beginning of the dissemination and transmission of information, embodying the diversity and cultural richness of Africa. The dynamic yellow and orange colors evoke the energy and vibrancy of the ever-evolving African media.

The next two semicircles, orange and yellow, stop halfway, representing the stages of the communication process and the diversity of voices in African media. Each actor makes their own unique contribution.

The fourth semicircle, yellow, ends in an orange square, symbolizing the stability and solidity of African media, rooted in their values and traditions while remaining open to innovation. The square shape contrasts with the curves of the semicircles, evoking structure and organization, which are crucial to media credibility.

Next to this design, the name "Média Ébène" is written in capital letters and brown, adding a touch of sophistication and seriousness. Brown, associated with the earth and roots, recalls a connection to traditions and cultural identity.

This logo embodies Média Ébène's mission: to connect, inform, and inspire African media. With its simple yet meaningful appearance, it offers a modern and inclusive representation of communication in Africa, where tradition and innovation come together to create a rich and vibrant media landscape.

In March 2024, Radio Réveil France and Radios Ébène Développement merged to create Médias Ébène, a new entity dedicated to supporting and developing Christian media in French-speaking Africa. Based in Pontarlier, it inherits a rich history and complementary expertise. With around 30 active members, a six-person board of directors, and a three-member executive committee, Médias Ébène continues the mission of its predecessors. Since 2019, the two associations have collaborated closely, notably during the first seminar in Lomé, and have contributed to the creation of FOMECAF, which brings together 129 media outlets in 13 countries.

Joyce Meyer Ministries, an international organization dedicated to biblical teaching and personal development, recently entered into a strategic partnership with FOMECAF (Forum des Médias Chrétiens d’Afrique Francophone, or Forum of Christian Media in French-speaking Africa). Thanks to this agreement, inspiring meditations in French will be broadcast on more than 100 radio stations in 13 French-speaking African countries.

On August 31, 2024, Joyce Meyer Ministries and FOMECAF (Forum des Médias Chrétiens d’Afrique Francophone) signed an agreement to broadcast meditations in French on more than 100 radio stations in 13 French-speaking African countries. Joyce Meyer Ministries, an international organization dedicated to biblical teaching and personal development, hopes to expand its influence in French-speaking Africa. FOMECAF, for its part, is offering an initial set of 365 one-minute meditations, followed by another 365, thereby enriching its broadcast offering, which already includes local and international productions.

Michaël Foucault, French-speaking coordinator for Joyce Meyer Ministries, expresses his joy and honor at contributing to the spread of the Gospel in French in Africa, emphasizing the importance of radio in the history of Joyce Meyer's ministry. Olivia Beugré, head of the FOMECAF executive office, sees this partnership as a big step toward unity in the body of Christ and thanks Joyce Meyer Ministries for their trust.

The program, produced by Phare FM in Mulhouse, guarantees exceptional quality. Joyce Meyer hopes that this partnership will pave the way for other fruitful collaborations.

FOMECAF, created in 2019, brings together more than a hundred Christian media outlets in French-speaking Africa and aims to promote holistic Christian content. Joyce Meyer Ministries France, based in Fenton, Missouri, offers a variety of resources to help people grow spiritually, with a notable presence in France and French-speaking countries.

"We have high expectations of religious media in the education of young people," said Franck Missité, chief of staff to Togo's Minister of Communication and Media. He was speaking on Monday, November 22, at the opening of the fourth edition of the Lomé meetings, organized by FOMECAF (Forum of Christian Media in French-speaking Africa).

Religious media reaching out to all citizens

"Religious media should reach out more to all citizens with topics that are not 100 percent religious," added the trained journalist. "It's important to vary the content. 75 percent prayer and preaching is enough. 25 percent culture and ethical and moral education would be good!"

This edition of the Lomé meetings will address the theme "Media & Generational Divide" with Abdoulaye Sangho, Director of Transworld Radio West and Central Africa (TWR), as the keynote speaker. Around fifty representatives of Christian media outlets from French-speaking Africa, Cameroon, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Ivory Coast, DRC, Rwanda, and elsewhere have traveled to attend the week-long training session. In addition, around a hundred people have registered to follow the event online.

"Media, make room for young people!"

"64 percent of the population of West Africa is under the age of 24," said Emmanuel Ziehli, president of Radio Réveil France, "and our media do not speak the language of young people. What's more, we don't cover topics that interest them. Let's be models of generational transition," he insisted. As a result, he asked radio executives to make room for younger people in their programming and among their journalists and presenters.

Emmanuel Ziehli also cited CICERI, the International Christian Center for Study, Research, and Information in Lomé, as an example of dynamism. Thanks to a team of young people between the ages of 18 and 30, CICERI organizes the Lomé seminars each year with complete transparency.

In addition to Abdoulaye Sangho, keynote speaker, Juliette Kpessou, host at Radio Hosanna in Benin, Olivia Adiko, editor-in-chief of Radio La voix de l'espérance in Abidjan, Etienne Kiemdé, director of Radio Evangile et développement in Burkina Faso, Illia Djadi, head of African relations at the NGO Portes Ouvertes, and Alphonse Teyabé, media consultant in Cameroon, will also speak.

Meetings launched by Radio Réveil

The "Lomé" meetings began in January 2019. They offer Christian media professionals from French-speaking Africa the opportunity to receive a week of training and to network in order to develop a dynamic of exchange between professionals from different countries.

In January 2019, Radio Réveil en Suisse, an association that produces radio programs for the entire French-speaking world, decided to mark its 70th anniversary by inviting its radio partners in Africa to a training session in Lomé. Around 100 people took part in the event and signed the Lomé Declaration of Lomé. The signatories pledged to renounce competition between evangelical and Protestant radio stations and to pool resources to improve the quality of their programs. (c)

The FOMECAF website with the Lomé 4 program.

https://medias.africa/lome4

The FOMECAF leadership is pleased to inform Christian media actors in French-speaking Africa of a decentralized seminar called OUAGA 2023, to be held from October 30 to November 3, 2023, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

With the aim of bringing its actions closer to sympathetic countries and supporting work at the national level more effectively, this year the Forum is organizing, in collaboration with Radio Réveil, a decentralized meeting in the capital of Burkina Faso, one of the current theaters of conflict in the subregion.

Under the theme: Media, tools for peace in a world in conflict – OUAGA 2023, this seminar follows on from FOMECAF's fervent desire to equip and empower Christian media actors to play a role in preventing and appeasing conflicts on the continent through their action plan.

Participants at OUAGA 2023 will mainly come from countries neighboring Burkina Faso, the host country. These include Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Niger, and Togo.

The leaders of the Forum des Médias Chrétiens d’Afrique Francophone (Forum of Christian Media in French-speaking Africa) therefore urge media professionals to continue to make use of the tools already made available to them and still available on the organization's official channels:

Medias Africa:https://medias.africa/tv/
YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@fomecaf6161
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/fomecaf
All voices at FOMECAF agree in inviting everyone to continue praying and uniting in intention for the success of this meeting.

As for stakeholders in Central and East African countries, they are reminded that seminars are being prepared and that very soon they too will have the opportunity to host the Forum.

Confident that your interest in the various initiatives led by FOMECAF remains strong and renewed, we wish each and every one of you all the best for the future.

See you soon for another uplifting and inspiring reunion!



The Forum of Christian Media in French-speaking Africa (FOMECAF) and the Radio Réveil Association are jointly awarding the 2023 François SERGY Prize to photographer Koudousse Moustapha from Benin and radio promoter Rabiou Hamadou from Niger.

On February 24, FOMECAF officials, in collaboration with the Franco-Swiss Association Radio Réveil, awarded an incentive prize to media specialists for the fourth time on the last day of the Lomé 5 seminar. This year, Koudousse Moustapha from Benin and Rabiou Hamadou from Niger won over the jury. The social impact of the former and the promotion of peace and "living together" by the latter are in line with the theme of the seminar that has just ended in Lomé, as well as the lessons taught by FOMECAF since 2019.

The François Sergy Prize honors participants in the Lomé seminars who have distinguished themselves by putting into practice the lessons learned during the five seminars organized since 2019 in the Togolese capital.

Beninese photographer receives award

Koudousse Moustapaha, a young photojournalist from Benin, runs Kovart Digital School, a photography school founded just one year ago in Porto-Novo, the capital of Benin. After graduating from high school, he enrolled in a photography course in 2017, a media activity that was already his passion. He obtained his certificate of professional qualification (CQM) in 2020. His talent was quickly spotted. Among his assignments, it is worth noting one for the Presidency of Benin, which has placed its trust in him. Koudousse Moustapaha participated in the Lomé 4 seminar and has since distinguished himself through the quality of his work. Armed with the knowledge he gained, he started "Kovart Digital School" a few weeks later, a project involved in social action. This school is located in a disadvantaged neighborhood.

A radio personality from Maradi

Rabiou Hamadou is the second recipient of the François Sergy Award. A Nigerian national, he is the promoter of Radio Nagarta in Maradi, Niger. His editorial line gives a voice to the entire social, cultural, and religious mosaic that populates this region in the east of his country, which is plagued by instability due to armed jihadist groups not far away. "I dedicate this award to all the victims of the Russian-Ukrainian war and their families," he said as he received his award. It did not escape this media sleuth that the award was presented to him exactly one year after the outbreak of war in Europe. (c)


About the François Sergy Prize

The François Sergy Prize was established in 2019. In conjunction with FOMECAF, it pays tribute to a particularly deserving media activity, in memory of journalist François Sergy, a contributor to Radio Réveil who has since passed away and who was himself of African origin. In 2019, Dodji Juliette Kpessou received the award for her series of columns "O2Vie." Jean-Luc Simbilyabo from the DRC was honored in 2020 for his contributions in Ituri (eastern Congo). In 2021, Abdoualye Cissé was honored for his work and perseverance in Timbuktu (Mali).

More information about the other recipients of the François Sergy Award:


About FOMECAF

Since 2019, the Forum of Christian Media in French-speaking Africa (FOMECAF) has brought together the signatories of the " the Lomé Declaration ," which brings together actors from the religious media in French-speaking Africa once a year.

More information about FOMECAF.

The fourth Lomé meeting was held in the Togolese capital from November 22 to 26. Due to pandemic restrictions, around 50 representatives of French-speaking Christian media outlets were able to attend the event in person. Some 500 people logged on to the internet to follow the event either in part or in full. Olivia Beugre from Côte d'Ivoire gave an update on FOMECAF's activities during the closing ceremony. Echoes.

"The sustainability of our forum is only possible with the support of each and every one of you!" With these words, Olivia Beugre concluded her review at the closing ceremony of the fourth edition of the Lomé meetings, held from November 22 to 26. The editor-in-chief of Radio La Voix de l'Espérance in Abidjan welcomed the presence of some 50 journalists, presenters, and radio directors from 13 French-speaking African countries. In addition, some 500 people connected via Zoom, YouTube, or Facebook to follow the discussions, which focused on the theme of "Media and the Generation Gap."

Develop a partnership with AbR

As spokesperson for the ten leaders responsible for the Forum of Christian Media in French-speaking Africa (FOMECAF), Olivia Beugre outlined some prospects for future joint activities. First, there will be a partnership with AbR Media, a mainly English-speaking media network that offers support to Christian radio stations across the African continent.

The woman from La Voix de l’espérance radio station also noted that Dodji Juliette Kpessou from Radio Hosanna in Porto-Novo (Benin) and Benjamin Holl from Radio Vie nouvelle in Douala (Cameroon) would take over the running of the press agency, which publishes various written and radio contributions on the FOMECAF website. They will be supported by Joseph Ykio Gnahoua and Franceline Sehi from Côte d'Ivoire.

Promoting the satellite radio station "New Life"

FOMECAF officials have also decided to promote the French-language satellite radio station Nouvelle Vie within their organization, in order to enable the resumption of broadcasts by this partner. In addition, a web radio bank will be available online with a view to resuming certain programs that may be of interest to local radio stations, which sometimes lack original content.

From a structural point of view, Olivia Beugre also noted that a transitional body would be created to better involve Africans in the organization of FOMECAF meetings and training programs.

An award presented to Abdoulaye Cissé, radio director in Timbuktu

At the end of the closing ceremony, Emmanuel Ziehli presented the François Sergy Award to Abdoulaye Cissé, director of Radio Tahanint (mercy) in Timbuktu (Mali). A pastor in the Evangelical Baptist Church of Timbuktu, Abdoulaye has distinguished himself by his courage in continuing his Christian witness in a context particularly threatened by radical Islam. In 2012, after the radio station was looted, Abdoulaye's home was also ransacked. In 2017, three young people were murdered in front of Radio Tahanint, including two of the station's presenters. In addition to his radio and pastoral activities, Abdoulaye Cissé also broadcasts Christian programs on some 40 radio stations in northern Mali, for which he is paid. (c)

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The Lomé meetings in brief

The "Lomé" meetings began in January 2019. They offer Christian media professionals from French-speaking Africa the opportunity to receive a week of training and to network in order to develop a dynamic of exchange between professionals from different countries.

In January 2019, Radio Réveil en Suisse, an association that produces radio programs for the entire French-speaking world, decided to mark its 70th anniversary by inviting its radio partners in Africa to a training session in Lomé. Around 100 people took part in the event and signed the Lomé Declaration of Lomé. The signatories pledged to renounce competition between evangelical and Protestant radio stations and to pool resources to improve the quality of their programs.

During the second edition of the Lomé meetings, the 170 or so participants engaged in a discussion on the theme "Let's invent integral radio! ." They also decided to create the Forum of Christian Media in French-speaking Africa (FOMECAF) with the following founding committee members: Olivia Adiko, journalist and editor-in-chief of La Voix de l'espérance (Ivory Coast), Dr. Alphonse Teyabe, communications consultant (Cameroon), Timothée Amegan, pastor and CEO of Médiafrique (Togo), and Emmanuel Ziehli, director of Radio Réveil (Switzerland).

In 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lomé 3 offered around 50 participants in person and 100 online the opportunity to reflect on "Media convergence and job versatility."

The Lomé 1 report

The Lomé 2 report

The Lomé 3 report

Current members of the FOMECAF committee

The following individuals are members of the FOMECAF core network or committee: Olivia Adiko Beugre (Radio la Voix de l’Espérance; Abidjan), Dodji Juliette Kpessou (Radio Hosanna, Porto-Novo), Dr. Augustin Ahoga (theologian and anthropologist, Benin), Timothée Amegan (Médiafrique, Lomé), Illia Djadi (Open Doors, London), Blaise Gaïtou, director of YWAM Niger, Benjamin Holl (Radio Vie nouvelle, Douala), Etienne Kiemdé (Radio Évangile et développement, Ouagadougou), Koffi Ahonon (CICERI and Compassion, Lomé), Dr. Abdoulaye Sangho (TWR, Abidjan), Dr. Alphonse Teyabe (media consultant, Douala), and Emmanuel Ziehli (Radio Réveil France).

About:

Forum of Christian Media in French-speaking Africa https://medias.africa/

Radio Réveil Suisse et France https://radioreveil.ch/ | https://radio-reveil.org/

AbR Medias South Africa: https://abrmedia.org/