By Rasheeda Yahaya

 The Union of African Journalists (UAJ) officially launched its 63rd Training Course—named the "Mahfouz El-Ansary" edition—in Cairo, bringing together media professionals from across the continent to deepen cross-border cooperation and elevate journalistic standards. 

Organized in partnership with Egypt’s Supreme Council for Media Regulation (SCMR) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the summit focuses on capacity building, knowledge transfer, and joint coverage of pan-African development.

 Dr. Mohamed Fayez Farahat, UAJ President and Chairman of Al-Ahram Foundation, emphasized that the initiative creates a vital platform for African media figures to share professional tradecraft while observing Egypt's post-2014 development blueprint.

?Representing SCMR Secretary-General Counselor Yasser El-Maabady, Counselor Reem Hindi noted that hosting the program underscores Egypt’s dedication to building sustainable infrastructure for inter-African media dialogue.

?UAJ Advisor Ambassador Ahmed Haggag highlighted face-to-face networking as an essential tool to align narrative priorities across regions as well as  

Strengthening Continental Ties

? Charles Ndi Chia, President of the Cameroon Journalists’ Union, commended the host nation and called on regional unions to leverage the partnership to champion press freedom, media ethics, and professional responsibility.

?The inauguration welcomed a delegation of media veterans and diplomats, including Dr. Samia Abbas (UAJ Secretary-General), Amal Abdel-Motaleb (Director General of SCMR's Media Training Center), Ambassador Mohamed Hegazy, broadcasters Maher Abdel Aziz and Ayman Adly, and Zeinab Helmy (UAJ Training Director).

?As media landscapes rapidly evolve globally, the UAJ's flagship course stands out as a critical engine for continental integration. By equipping African journalists with updated technical capabilities and direct channels of communication, the initiative ensures that Africa’s growth story is accurately told by the journalists who live it.

Meanwhile Dr Mohammed Fayez Farahat emphasized that beyond professional skill-building, the central pillar of the Union of African Journalists is empowering the next generation of reporters to uphold integrity, rigor, and diligence in their craft.

 Crucially, these training sessions serve as a launchpad for lasting cross-border networks. By forging direct connections across regional boundaries, participants build an essential peer-to-peer network—allowing journalists to contact trusted colleagues on the ground for accurate, first-hand verification whenever breaking news or major events unfold in another country with participants drawn from at least 15 African countries