Malian Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maïga actively participated in the inaugural ceremony of key discussions, which focused on vital topics such as “Media Education: A Citizen Imperative in the Digital Age,” “Information Disorder: The MDM Triptych and Verification Tools,” and “Teaching and Training in Media Literacy.”
Morocco, honored as the distinguished guest country, sent a strong delegation to the forum, which convened from June 3 to 6, 2026.
Aziz Boucetta, the publishing director for Panorapost.com, articulated that the pan-African media community converged in Mali to address Africa’s challenges, asserting these issues are entirely surmountable once acknowledged. He expressed confidence that Morocco, responding to Mali’s invitation, would contribute its unique perspective while actively seeking to forge partnerships essential for the African continent’s progress and development in pan-African current affairs.
Meanwhile, Aboubacar Abdoulwahidou Maïga, who serves as the Director General of the School of Journalism and a panelist at the event, highlighted the significant surge in internet penetration across Mali. He noted that the percentage of connected Malians has dramatically increased from a mere 2% in 2012 to 35% currently. Within this connected demographic, 80% are young people under the age of 35, with a striking 60% of this younger segment relying on social media for their news and information, reflecting a shift in African society news consumption.
Abdoulwahidou Maïga further underscored the critical need for greater digitization within Malian media outlets, arguing that without this essential transformation, the local media industry cannot achieve sustainable profitability.
Brigade General Abdoulaye Maïga, the head of government, articulated a stark reality: “Our sub-region confronts intricate security challenges, frequently compounded by an intense battle for public perception. Modern conflicts are no longer solely waged on military battlefields but extend significantly into the digital and informational media landscape. In this environment, the journalist emerges as a strategic player crucial for state stability, fostering social cohesion, and building resilient societies.” This perspective is vital for understanding Africa politics English discussions.
He concluded his address by emphasizing the imperative to strengthen both national and broader African competencies, stating, “It is vital to enhance the professional capacity of media professionals so they can fully accomplish their essential mission.”
