Nairobi’s Ole Sereni Hotel came alive on Friday, 21 November 2025, as journalists from across the continent gathered for the 8th edition of the OFAB Africa Media Awards (OMAs), hosted by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF). Since their launch as a continental competition in 2018, the OMAs have become a flagship platform for celebrating journalists who translate complex agricultural biotechnology into compelling, evidence-based public narratives.
Fittingly, this year’s theme, ‘Telling Africa’s story of innovation: Advancing agri-biotech uptake through evidence-based reporting,’ set the tone for an evening that underscored how credible science journalism is now central to Africa’s food security discourse.
“By fostering dialogue among stakeholders, the OFAB Media Awards contribute to evidence-based policy-making and sustainable agricultural practices. OFAB’s vision aligns with the broader agenda of empowering smallholder farmers, tackling poverty, and addressing food insecurity through technology-driven solutions,” said Dr Canisius Kanangire, Executive Director of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF).
Speakers highlighted that, in a context where nearly one in five Africans faces hunger, journalists who communicate agri-biotech innovations with clarity and integrity are helping to bridge the gap between research, policy and the everyday realities of farmers.
From an exceptionally strong pool of entries, the judges named winners in four categories. In Television, Kenya’s Agutu Rosa emerged top, with Ezelina Valentine Kamaliza of Malawi clinching the first runner-up award. In the Radio Category honors Meut Dakta Mark of Kenya was named the winner as Frédéric Tensaba (Burkina Faso) came second.
In Print, Juliana Agbo of Nigeria scooped top honors ahead of Rwanda’s Michel Nkurunziza who emerged second. The Online/Digital Category was won by Jim Israel Mwanda (Kenya), with Rebeca Kachembeho and Jackline Martine (Tanzania) as joint first runners-up. Jim Israel Mwanda was further crowned the Overall Winner for 2025.
“As we celebrate your achievements tonight, let us recommit ourselves to a shared mission, to ensure that Africa’s scientific and agricultural innovations reach every farmer, every household, and every young person who dreams of a better tomorrow,” remarked Dr. Margaret Karembu, Director, ISAAA AfriCenter, and Chair, OFAB-Kenya.
This year’s edition was also historic. Previously restricted to journalists from OFAB Chapter countries – Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Rwanda, Mozambique and Malawi – the OMAs were in 2025 fully opened to all African nations, underscoring OFAB’s evolution into a truly continental platform for science journalism excellence.
Kenya’s strong showing was unmistakable. With three category wins (Television, Radio, and Online/Digital) and the overall continental title, Kenyan journalists reaffirmed the country’s reputation as a hub for rigorous, solutions-oriented reporting on agricultural biotechnology. Their stories, alongside those from colleagues in Malawi, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Tanzania, demonstrated how African media are reclaiming the biotechnology narrative – away from fear and misinformation, and towards innovation, resilience, and farmer-centred impact.
The DrumBeat congratulates all 2025 OFAB Africa Media Awards winners and finalists. Their work is not only shaping public conversations about biotechnology; it is also helping Africa tell its own story of science-driven transformation, one powerful, evidence-based report at a time.