Ethiopia’s Government Communication Service Minister,  Enatalem Melese, urged African media professionals to embrace their role as storytellers of the continent’s transformation, while delivering a keynote address at the African Media Award ceremony held in Addis Ababa on Thursday night.

In her remarks, Enatalem emphasized that African journalists carry a profound responsibility to tell Africa’s stories with accuracy and authenticity.  She called on media practitioners to shed light on the continent’s achievements, innovations and opportunities, and to amplify narratives of resilience and progress that often go unheard globally.

“Ethiopia offers abundant stories — stories of change, optimism, determination and hope. I encourage you all to share them boldly and confidently,” she said.

The Minister also announced a major national milestone:  Ethiopia has officially been selected to host COP32 in 2027, following unanimous endorsement at COP30 in Belém, Brazil. She said the decision reflects the growing international confidence in Ethiopia’s climate diplomacy and its capacity to host global summits.

Enatalem highlighted Ethiopia’s commitment to climate leadership, pointing to major initiatives such as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which she described as “a declaration of hope, determination and African capability.”

According to the Minister, preparations for COP32 are already underway. The government aims to deliver one of the most “impactful, inclusive and forward-looking* climate conferences in history—one that centers African priorities such as climate justice, resilience and sustainable development.

The inaugural African Media Awards took place in Addis Ababa, celebrating exceptional journalism and powerful storytelling from every corner of the continent. More than an award ceremony, the event stood as a bold declaration of Africa’s rising media influence and its unwavering commitment to narrative sovereignty.

Designed to spotlight the continent’s most compelling voices, the awards aim to elevate African stories and champion media excellence across both traditional outlets and rapidly expanding digital platforms.

Organisers and supporting institutions include the African Union of Broadcasting, the Patrice Emery Lumumba Foundation, the Kwame Nkrumah Foundation, the Mwalimu Nyerere Foundation, the Kenneth Kaunda Legacy Foundation, the Sisulu Foundation for Social Justice, the PLO Lumumba Foundation, Russia Today channel and others.

The ceremony underscored Africa’s growing authority in the global information landscape and reaffirmed the media’s crucial role in shaping political consciousness, driving social transformation, and strengthening cultural unity.

With nine diverse award categories, ranging from outstanding news reporting and documentaries to Afro-centric entertainment, social media productions, and current affairs storytelling, the event reflects the dynamic evolution of Africa’s media ecosystem.

This landmark ceremony marked a historic turning point in recognizing and honoring the brilliance, resilience, and creativity that define Africa’s media landscape. More importantly, it amplified authentic African voices, providing a powerful platform for narratives that mirror the continent’s rich identity, vibrant cultures, and ongoing transformation.

By celebrating excellence across all forms of media, the African Media Awards seeks to propel African journalism onto the global stage — shaping the future of storytelling both within the continent and across the world.

The African Media Awards celebrated outstanding achievements in journalism, broadcasting, digital media and storytelling, and unite the best representatives of Africa's media landscape.

Twenty-one nominees have reached the finals, competing in various categories - from news reporting to documentaries. Over 800 submissions were received from more than 40 African countries.