Forbes Africa Executive Calls on Africans to Own Media and Shape Global Narratives
Sikona Cibini, Head of Partnerships for West Africa at Forbes Africa, has urged Africans to invest in media ownership to influence global perceptions of their continent.
She made the call on Monday at The Leverage Room in Lagos, where professionals, entrepreneurs and creatives gathered to discuss business growth and international influence.
The event, themed “Beyond Business: Building Value, Strategic Relationships and Global Influence,” explored how strategic connections and effective communication could strengthen businesses and expand their reach.
Cibini said media narratives influence Africans’ self-esteem, international perceptions, investment decisions and relationships between nationalities, making African ownership of storytelling platforms increasingly important.
She encouraged investors to support credible news organisations, documentaries, investigative journalism and digital distribution networks capable of presenting African experiences accurately to international audiences.
According to her, greater African ownership of media platforms would help the continent communicate its realities, showcase its cultures and influence conversations about its business environment.
Cibini also expressed concern about media coverage of xenophobia, warning that reporting approaches could deepen divisions and weaken relationships between African countries and their citizens.
She recommended including xenophilia, which describes appreciation for foreign people and cultures, in African narratives to encourage mutual understanding and challenge hostility across national boundaries.
Tsholo Ezeani, a South African married to a Nigerian, cautioned against stereotyping Nigerians and South Africans, urging people to understand communities beyond popular assumptions.
Ezeani stressed the need to document African histories, preserve cultural traditions and encourage younger generations to learn about the experiences and values of previous generations.
She urged Africans to read and share traditional folk tales, explaining that preserving cultural heritage requires people to engage with stories inherited from earlier generations.
“We don’t tell our stories because we don’t read,” Ezeani said, highlighting the connection between reading, cultural knowledge and communicating African experiences effectively.
Earlier, Uche Chinonso, convener of The Leverage Room and founder of E Travels and Tours, said the platform connects people with valuable professional and business networks.
He explained that participants learn from practical experiences, establish useful contacts and exchange ideas that can help them address challenges and develop their businesses.
Chinonso added that meaningful networking requires people to contribute value and support others, rather than concentrating solely on personal benefits from professional relationships.
Participants also discussed how businesses could balance commercial objectives with corporate social responsibility while making informed decisions about publicity, audience engagement and brand visibility.
They emphasised that companies should select media platforms and programmes according to their communication goals, target audiences and budgets, avoiding publicity spending without clear objectives.
