**Google News Initiative | French-speaking Africa | Funding over 100 News Startups**
**Supporting local journalism in French-speaking Africa through training, programs and funding.**
**Our key focus areas in French-speaking Africa**
* **Support to local media:** We actively support and train local media outlets to help them adopt new business models, fight misinformation and strengthen their digital presence.
* **Growing the journalism ecosystem:** We support the growth of the journalism profession through training, mentoring and networking opportunities for journalists and founders.
* **Encouraging innovation:** We provide funding and support to startups and entrepreneurs developing new and innovative journalistic approaches, and working on solutions to local challenges.
**Google News Initiative for French-speaking Africa**
The Google News Initiative helps publishers and journalists around the world produce high-quality content, grow their businesses and build sustainable news ecosystems for the future.
The Initiative was launched in 2018 and has since committed over $1 billion (€860 million) to news organizations around the world.
In French-speaking Africa, we have committed over €100,000,000 to support the local journalism ecosystem. We have already funded over 100 news startups and trained over 5,000 journalists.
**Our partners**
We work with a range of partners in French-speaking Africa, including:
* **Media outlets:** We partner with key media outlets across the region, including Le Monde Afrique, Jeune Afrique and Radio France Internationale.
* **Journalism organizations:** We work closely with organizations such as the African Media Initiative, the Pan African Journalists Association and the International Center for Journalists.
* **Startups and entrepreneurs:** We provide funding and support to startups and entrepreneurs working on innovative solutions to local challenges in the media sector.
**Our impact**
Our work in French-speaking Africa has had a significant impact on the local journalism ecosystem.
* **Increased access to quality journalism:** We have supported the launch of new digital news platforms and trained journalists in new skills, helping to increase access to quality journalism in French-speaking Africa.
* **Growth of the journalism profession:** We have trained over 5,000 journalists in French-speaking Africa, helping to grow the profession and build the next generation of journalists.
* **Encouraged innovation in the media sector:** We have funded over 100 news startups in French-speaking Africa, helping to drive innovation and find new ways to engage with audiences.
**The future of journalism in French-speaking Africa**
We believe that journalism is essential for a healthy democracy. We are committed to continuing our work in French-speaking Africa to support local journalism and help build a sustainable news ecosystem for the future.
**Get involved**
If you are a news organization, journalist or entrepreneur working in French-speaking Africa, we encourage you to get involved with the Google News Initiative.
Find out more about our programs and how to apply for funding.
**Join our community**
Connect with other journalists and experts in French-speaking Africa and around the world by joining our online community.
**Stay up to date**
Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on the latest news and updates from the Google News Initiative.
**Contact us**
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our work in French-speaking Africa, please contact us.
**We look forward to working with you to build a sustainable future for journalism in French-speaking Africa.**.
