Three winners of the ICFJ Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling, supported by ICFJ reporting grants, will investigate the growing threats to press freedom and democracy across Africa. Their reports will examine how challenges ranging from AI-enabled surveillance to coordinated online attacks against journalists are impacting African societies.
Established in 2016 to honor Michael Elliott, an outstanding editor, philanthropist and former ICFJ director, the Michael Elliott Award has grown into one of the most prestigious prizes for African journalists. Winners of the award receive a cash prize and take part in a two-week professional development program at The Economist’s London offices.
These inaugural reporting grants will help build a lasting community of Elliott Award alumni, equipping them with continued support to tackle the most pressing issues facing African societies.
Khalid Bencherif will look into how AI could harm African societies, from authoritarian surveillance and job displacement to language exclusion and data colonialism. Bencherif was the winner of the 2022 Elliott Award for a story describing how parts of Morocco, including his hometown, became uninhabitable due to climate change. The award “gave me a strong push to develop my career,” he said. “It enhanced my CV crucially, which led me to get more journalism opportunities, including fellowships and grants.”
Kemi Busari will explore why Nigerian journalists are leaving the profession and what it means for the future of the country and democracy. Busari received the 2024 Elliott Award for an investigation into a low-end herbal product sold in the streets of Abuja, Nigeria, and advertised as a fix for common diseases. Through his embedment with the Economist, Busari learned from the outlet’s all-rounder approach to journalism and rigorous fact-checking processes, he said.
Linda Ngari will report on online attacks against Rwandese journalists who work within the country and in exile, investigating potential coordinated campaigns. Ngari was the 2024 Elliott awardee for her documentary investigating why so many Kenyan women die from unsafe abortions, with many more facing life-altering complications. Ngari says her embedment at The Economist changed how she works. “I now report while questioning the possible global angle a local story could have,” she said. “More often than not, there's a foreign influence in issues faced locally.”
"This kind of reporting is critical to understanding the threats faced by African journalists and societies," said ICFJ President Sharon Moshavi. “Supporting these investigations gets to the heart of the Michael Elliott Award’s mission – to recognize journalists who highlight the transformational changes taking place on the continent."
You can learn more about the Michael Elliott Award here and make a donation to support the program here.