Held in partnership with The Media Training Room (TMTR), Open Access Data Centres, and Rack Centre, the workshop focused on equipping journalists with the insights needed for ethical, informed, and accurate reporting on core infrastructure layers—ranging from connectivity, cloud, and interconnection, to project bankability and the growing influence of AI in journalism.
Media as a Pillar of Digital Growth
Speaking at the event, Temitope Osunrinde, Executive Director of Africa Hyperscalers, emphasized the strategic importance of digital infrastructure for national development.
“Digital infrastructure is now as critical to national development as roads, ports, and power. If Africa is to shape credible narratives that attract long-term investment and support sustainable digital economies, the media must understand how these systems work and what it takes to deliver them. This workshop is about equipping journalists with the insight to drive better public discourse, inform policy decisions, and ultimately support stronger infrastructure outcomes,” Osunrinde said.
Focus on Ethical AI Reporting
The programme featured a dedicated session on Ethical and Professional News Reporting in the Age of AI, led by Toni Kan, Founder of TMTR. The session explored how artificial intelligence is reshaping newsroom practices, ethical considerations, and accountability, equipping journalists to report responsibly on AI-driven developments.
Infrastructure Insights for Journalists
Key sessions included:
- “Connectivity: From Subsea to the Street” by Adebola Adefarati, Head of Marketing and Communications at Rack Centre, which provided an in-depth look at connectivity infrastructure from international submarine cables to local networks.
- “Building Resilient Data Centers and Connectivity Infrastructure” by Gbenga Adegbiji, CEO of Geniserve, highlighting best practices for robust infrastructure development.
- “What You Don’t Know About the Internet in Nigeria” by Muhammed Rudman, CEO of the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), explaining the importance of localizing internet traffic, local peering, data sovereignty, and their impact on network costs and latency.
Panel Discussion on Media’s Role
The workshop concluded with a panel on “The Media’s Powerful Role in Enabling Digital Infrastructure Development in Nigeria”, featuring industry leaders including Tayo Fagbule, West Africa Bureau Chief at CNBC; Obinna Adumike, Head of Converged Infrastructure at Open Access Data Centres; Muhammed Rudman, CEO of IXPN; and Temitope Osunrinde.
The discussion underscored the media’s critical responsibility in fostering transparency, informing policy, and supporting investment across Nigeria’s digital infrastructure ecosystem. Panelists agreed that accurate reporting on infrastructure and AI not only strengthens public understanding but also helps attract sustainable investment to the sector.
Supporting Africa’s Digital Future
Sponsored by Open Access Data Centres, the workshop highlighted the central role of journalism in shaping credible narratives around digital infrastructure. As Africa accelerates its adoption of AI and cloud technologies, informed reporting will be essential in driving policy, investment, and public engagement, ensuring that the continent’s digital transformation is both responsible and sustainable.