The AUB mission to the Southern and the Eastern Africa regions

The digitization of the AUB's archives and the future of African media content took center stage during the Union's visit from August 11 to 28, 2016.

On his first official tour of Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Uganda since assuming office, the Chief Executive Officer of the African Union of Broadcasting (AUB) received an exceptionally warm welcome. Reflecting on the significance of the trip, Mr. Grégoire Ndjaka noted: "Since the rebranding of the former URTNA to the African Union of Broadcasting, these member organizations had not yet had the opportunity to host the Union’s CEO in their respective countries." Following the mission, Mr. Ndjaka expressed profound confidence in the Union's future, bolstered by the enthusiastic engagement of its members.

The mission launched on August 11, 2016, with an initial stop in Maputo. Accompanied by Ms. Evelyne Faye, Head of the AUB Marketing and Communication Department, Mr. Ndjaka sought to revitalize relationships with the Director General and staff of the National Radio and Television of Mozambique.

A primary focus of the visit was following up on resolutions established during the AUB meeting in Dakar on May 17, 2016, regarding sports broadcasting rights. This landmark event, which drew major African media leaders and personalities, laid the foundation for transparent discussions on the costs public broadcasters face when airing sporting events. The CEO reiterated his commitment to the full implementation of these resolutions—a message he echoed to media leaders throughout Zambia, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.

Safeguarding Africa’s Heritage in the Digital Age

High on the delegation's agenda was the dual challenge of content creation in the digital era and the digitization of the URTNA/AUB Archives. Currently stored in Nairobi, Kenya, these archives represent an invaluable treasure trove of African history. They chronicle the lives of the men and women who shaped the continent across fields such as sports, science, politics, culture, and agriculture.

The CEO emphasized that securing these records is of paramount importance to safeguarding the collective memory of Africa.

The professional development of audiovisual staff—the "workhorse" of the industry—remained a top priority for AUB members. While the shift from analog to digital is a major leap forward, national broadcasters observed that technical teams still face challenges in mastering these new technologies. Mr. Ndjaka reassured members that their concerns "had not fallen on deaf ears," pledging support for specialized training. Simultaneously, the CEO worked to attract private broadcast actors interested in joining the AUB network.

Before concluding the southern African tour, the CEO highlighted the Overon project and urged member organizations to commit to the "One Minute Project." This initiative is envisioned as a cornerstone for the Union’s future progress and financial independence.

The mission concluded on August 28, 2016, marking the beginning of a broader effort to maintain a consistent presence across the entire continent.

Irene GAOUDA http://www.rawmaterialcompany.org/_1448 Previoulsy published on 10/09/2016

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