Who We Are
The Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to advancing independent journalism, media capacity, and freedom of expression across Africa. Established in 2014 and headquartered in Kaduna, Nigeria, AMDF serves as a vital platform for promoting journalistic excellence, media development, and civic engagement.
We provide training, advocacy, research, and mentorship opportunities aimed at empowering journalists, media professionals, and content creators to report ethically, responsibly, and effectively. Our programs focus on strengthening democracy, good governance, and sustainable development through a vibrant media landscape.
With a growing network of partners and stakeholders, AMDF is committed to creating a media environment where truth thrives, voices are heard, and accountability is upheld.
AMDF Milestone
| Date | Milestone & Description |
| May 2014 | AMDF was founded in May 2014 in Kaduna, Nigeria, by Iliya Kure, a passionate journalist committed to advancing press freedom, ethical journalism, and media’s role in Africa’s sustainable development. From the start, AMDF aimed to empower journalists to be changemakers who hold power accountable and amplify marginalized voices. |
| 2015 | Launch of the Media Clinic, one of AMDF’s annual event offering hands-on training, mentoring, and practical skills development to journalists across Nigeria and beyond. The Clinic became a safe space where emerging and veteran journalists could sharpen their craft, exchange ideas, and build networks crucial for career growth. |
| 2016 | Establishment of the African Journalists Network (AJN), a dynamic virtual community connecting journalists across Africa. AJN broke geographical barriers, enabling members to collaborate, share resources, and advocate collectively for media rights and professionalism in a rapidly evolving media landscape. |
| 2016 | Introduction of the AMDF Journalist of the Year Award — a prestigious recognition celebrating journalists whose work demonstrates courage, professionalism, and impact. This award shines a spotlight on reporters who bring critical development issues to the forefront, often under difficult circumstances, inspiring peers across the continent. |
| 2017 | The 1st annual journalism development conference was held under the name MediaAfrica, creating a dedicated forum to explore how journalism can drive development goals. The conference attracts policymakers, media experts, and civil society, fostering dialogue on challenges such as misinformation, media freedom, and capacity building. |
| 2018 | Partnership forged with Rise Up/Johns Hopkins University to support advocacy around girls’ education policies in Kaduna State. This collaboration with government, religious leaders, traditional rulers, CSOs and media led to the development of a policy document on free education for secondary school girls in Kaduna state. |
| 2018 | Introduction of the Courage in Journalism Awards, uniquely non-contested and awarded by the AMDF Board to journalists and media organizations who persist despite facing harassment, imprisonment, confiscation of equipment, office demolitions, and other forms of intimidation. These awards honor the bravery and resilience essential to safeguarding press freedom across Africa’s often hostile environments. |
| 2019 | Launched the annual Bagauda Kaltho Media Lecture Series. Currently held on September 19, the birthdate of Bagauda Kaltho—a Nigerian investigative journalist who disappeared in 1996 while pursuing a story. The lecture series honors his sacrifice by inspiring journalists to uphold integrity, pursue investigative excellence, and confront the risks inherent in the profession. |
| 2019 | Rebranding of the annual conference as the Africa Conference on Development Journalism (ACDJ), reflecting AMDF’s expanded pan-African reach and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The ACDJ has grown into a flagship event shaping development journalism discourse and practice. |
| 2020 | Launch of the Press Freedom Tracker, a pioneering digital tool for monitoring and documenting violations against press freedom throughout Africa. By providing real-time data and analysis, the Tracker empowers journalists, media houses, and advocates to respond effectively to threats and hold perpetrators accountable. |
| August 2021 | Initiation of community advocacy for the enforcement of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law in 12 Kaduna State communities. Through media campaigns, public sensitization, and policy engagement, AMDF sought to reduce sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), highlighting the role of journalism in advancing social justice and human rights. |
| February 2022 | Signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Kaduna Council, aimed at bolstering journalist leadership, ethics, and capacity building. This strategic partnership strengthened AMDF’s efforts to cultivate a more professional, ethical, and resilient media workforce. |
| Ongoing | AMDF continues to evolve and expand its portfolio, focusing on ethical journalism, media advocacy, capacity building, press freedom protection, and development communication. Its sustained commitment ensures that African media remains a powerful tool for democracy, transparency, and social progress. |