The 64th World Newspaper Congress and 19th World Editors Forum brought together media professionals to discuss challenges and opportunities facing the news industry in Africa. Key issues addressed included skills shortages, high costs of newsprint, equipment and distribution infrastructure, as well as threats from lack of access to finance and unstable political environments. However, rapid expansion of mobile networks on the continent was also seen as opening new opportunities to reach more readers through mobile and digital platforms.

1. 64th World Newspaper Congress
19th World Editors Forum
Around the world in 60
minutes
Trevor Ncube
Deputy Executive Chairman
Mail & Guardian
South Africa

3. Skills shortage
Ethics and
Newsprint costs
leadership
Cost of
Professionalism equipment
Political threats
Access to finance
Distribution Underdeveloped
infrastructure markets

4. • Deployment of submarine fibre optic cables
• Over 735 million mobile connections by the end of 2012
• 84% of Africa connected to mobile by 2015
• 2nd largest mobile market in the world
• 230 million mobile broadband connections in 2015
• More people with mobile broadband than electricity at home

6. • New titles
• Mobile game changer
• Metered paywalls & Subscription plans
• Data journalism
• Apps
• Urban/rural divide
• Youth bulge
• 40% below 15 years