African Social Media Influencer Summit (ASMIS) prepares to reshape the continent’s narrative through authentic storytelling

The landmark two-day event, themed 'Influence for a Better Africa” will be held on May 7–8, 2026, at the historic Adwa Victory Memorial Museum in Addis Ababa.

Co-organized by Pulse of Africa — a pan-African media initiative launched under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed — and AGA Tech Enterprise, the summit aims to unite over 200 prominent social media influencers, content creators, media organizations, policymakers, and private sector leaders from across Africa and the diaspora.

These participants collectively command audiences reaching hundreds of millions across various platforms.

During a briefing session held today in Addis Ababa for local influencers, Fitsumeshet Shimelis, Deputy CEO of Pulse of Africa, highlighted the urgent need to change the negative portrayal of the continent.

''Africa has long been depicted negatively, despite being endowed with countless positive stories,” he said. “This distorted narrative has placed immense pressure on the continent, and it must change.”

Fitsum explained that Pulse of Africa was established precisely to counter these harmful narratives and amplify authentic African voices.

He described the ASMIS as a strategic initiative to leave a lasting positive impact by harnessing the power of social media influencers.

“Social media influencers possess immense power in shaping public perception,” he added, urging participants to actively contribute their voices toward building a stronger, more empowered Africa.

Gemeda Olana, Manager of AGA Tech Enterprise, echoed the sentiment, describing the summit as a crucial platform for networking, collaboration, and showcasing Africa’s positive stories.

He called on influencers to play an active role in strengthening pan-African storytelling.

ASMIS Project Manager, Bayush Mamo noted that the summit will facilitate in-depth discussions on the rapidly evolving digital landscape in Africa, with special focus on the growing influence of digital platforms and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in content creation.

She said key sessions will explore how AI tools can drive innovation in content production, while also addressing ethical challenges and promoting responsible adoption of emerging technologies.

CEO of Tourism Promotion at the Ethiopian Tourism Ministry, Teshome Teklu  stated that Ethiopia possesses a wealth of tourist destinations and attractions.

However, the country has not been able to showcase them effectively, largely due to limited promotion through social media.

He emphasized that using social media for positive purposes can create a significant impact not only in Ethiopia but also at the Continent level.

The official argued that the upcoming event represents an important step toward achieving this goal.

Teshome further assured that the Ministry will do everything necessary to ensure the event is fruitful and successfully meets its objectives

The program features AI and innovation workshops, panels on pan-African storytelling, networking sessions for strategic partnerships between creators and businesses, and policy discussions on digital engagement and governance.

Organizers say ASMIS seeks to foster collaboration between digital creators and institutions, promote responsible communication practices, and support sustainable development across the continent.

The summit is expected to become an annual flagship event, strengthening Africa’s collective digital voice and nurturing the continent’s thriving creator economy.