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Speaker
Dr. Yemisi Akinbobola
Co-founder & CEO, African Women in Media, Associate Professor, Birmingham City University
Dr. Yemisi Akinbobola is an award-winning journalist, leading authority on gender equality in African media, and was named one of the 100 Most Influential African Women (2021). She is the Co-Founder and CEO of African Women in Media (AWiM) and an Associate Professor of Women’s Rights and Media Development at Birmingham City University (UK). Her work has shaped key UNESCO and African Union policies, including the Lusaka Declaration on Press Freedom and the Kigali Declaration on Gender Violence in and through Media.
Under her leadership, AWiM has grown into a global network of more than 35,000 members, working to improve how women are represented in and by media through research, training, and policy advocacy. A recipient of the CNN African Journalist Award, Dr. Akinbobola also created Her Media Diary, a podcast amplifying African women’s voices in journalism.
At BRIDGE Summit, Dr. Akinbobola will discuss how media and policy can empower women and drive fairer, more inclusive growth across Africa; showing how strong storytelling and equitable representation can create real social change.
UK
Media
Dr. Yemisi Akinbobolaat BRIDGE
- Media Panel 8 December 2:25 - 2:55PM
How the Gulf and Africa Are Rewriting the Media Map
Africa and the Gulf are fast becoming two of the world’s most influential media hubs, building newsrooms, creator ecosystems, and digital platforms that reach hundreds of millions and increasingly shape global narratives. This session explores how broadcasters and digital-first operators across both regions scale coverage, expand cross-border bureaus, build culturally resonant formats, and grow loyal audiences in markets often misunderstood by global capital. We examine where international partners fit, how geopolitical context shapes storytelling, and how these rising hubs are redefining the media operating system of the Global South.
Impact Stage
What They Say About BRIDGE
“A landmark gathering that will unite media professionals, policymakers, cultural creators, and global influencers.”
“A gateway for knowledge exchange.”
“A game‑changer for the global media industry”
“We are proud to take part in the inaugural edition of BRIDGE Summit”
“We're excited to partner with BRIDGE to create meaningful opportunities for creators and innovators”
