Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed officially launched Pulse of Africa (POA), a pan-African media platform designed to amplify authentic African voices and challenge longstanding misrepresentations of the continent, on Tuesday (October 7).
In announcing the initiative, Prime Minister Abiy described POA as “an important step toward countering negative media representations of Africa and asserting our agency in shaping our own narratives.” He emphasized that while Africa is vast and full of potential, global perceptions have historically underestimated its capabilities. “This is why Pulse of Africa represents such a significant and humble beginning,” the Prime Minister wrote, adding that the platform is poised to grow into a leading continental media outlet in the coming years.
The platform’s core mission, Prime Minister Abiy stressed, is to assert Africa’s presence on the global stage. “Pulse of Africa is the voice of Africa. It is the representation of Africa’s image. It is the expression of Africa’s culture. It is the reflection of Africa’s wealth. Just as Ethiopia is reviving itself, we cannot develop alone unless we work together on the path for Africa to revive itself,” he underscored, urging cooperation and synergy among African nations.
Based in Addis Ababa, Pulse of Africa Media goes beyond being a conventional media outlet. It aims to reshape global perceptions through authentic storytelling, highlighting Africa’s innovation, cultural diversity, and progress. The platform seeks to confront negative stereotypes that portray the continent as solely defined by conflict, poverty, disease, and corruption, narratives the Prime Minister described as demeaning, dehumanizing, and strategically driven.
“Through sharing in-depth, genuine stories and emphasizing Africa’s advancements, POA seeks to foster a sense of pride among Africans while correcting misconceptions abroad,” noted Prime Minister Abiy in line with his address at the 35th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly. By providing an African-led perspective, the media platform intends to ensure that the continent’s voice is heard loudly and clearly on the international stage.
Pulse of Africa Media’s goals are ambitious yet clear: to empower Africans, celebrate cultural diversity, encourage innovation, and promote unity across the continent. The initiative also seeks to engage the African diaspora and global partners who support Africa’s development and share in the mission of shaping a truthful and inspiring continental narrative.
As Prime Minister Abiy concluded, “POA plays its part in ensuring we stand together with our African brothers and sisters in everything, through cooperation and synergy.” In doing so, the platform represents a forward-looking step toward positioning Africa not merely as a subject of international coverage but as a driver of its own story and global influence.