A new study titled "The Cost of Media Stereotypes to Africa," launched by Africa Practice and Africa No Filter, has found that negative Western media portrayals of African affairs are costing the continent’s economies an estimated $4.2 billion annually.
The study highlighted how biased reporting, especially during elections in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt, damages investor confidence and hampers growth.
The report points out that African elections often receive disproportionate coverage of violence and fraud, while non-African countries facing similar risks get more favorable treatment. This skewed portrayal is estimated to reduce Africa's GDP by 0.14% annually, with the lost funds potentially educating 12 million children and providing immunization to over 73 million.
The study also noted that fairer media coverage could boost Africa's credit ratings, reduce borrowing rates, and enhance investor confidence, further promoting growth in key sectors like tourism, manufacturing, and financial services. Marcus Courage, CEO of Africa Practice, reportedly emphasized the need to challenge Western stereotypes rooted in racism and hegemonic views.
Moky Makura, executive director of Africa No Filter, urged African governments to amplify positive narratives, highlighting sustained growth, expanding democracy, and innovation, media reported. These steps, she added, would help reshape global perceptions and support Africa’s development trajectory.
Numerous African and international figures, such as Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, South Africa's Minister of Energy and Electricity, and Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Vice President of Namibia, have expressed concern that Western governments, by imposing sanctions and restrictions on Russian media outlets like RT and Rossiya Segodnya, effectively limit public access to diverse perspectives, leaving audiences with one-sided narratives.