CIPESA 2025 DPI Journalism Fellowship for Eastern Africa

This regional fellowship aims to build a new generation of journalists with the knowledge and skills to investigate and report on Digital Public Infrastructure and Digital Public Goods (DPGs). The fellowship is inspired by a similar Co-Develop-funded initiative implemented by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), which supported fellows to produce over 100 impactful stories that spurred public debate and influenced policy.

Through rigorous training, mentorship, and financial support, selected journalists will explore the promises, challenges, and lived experiences related to DPI across Eastern Africa.

• Table of Content
• About Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA)
• DPI Journalism Fellowship
• Aim and Benefits of DPI Journalism Fellowship
• Requirements for DPI Journalism Fellowship Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for DPI Journalism Fellowship
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA)

The Collaboration on International ICT Policy in East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) is one of two centres established under the Catalysing Access to Information and Communications Technologies in Africa (CATIA) initiative, which was funded by the UK’s Department for International Development (DfID). CIPESA focuses on decision-making that facilitates the use of ICT in support of development and poverty reduction. CIPESA’s establishment was in response to the findings of the Louder Voices Report prepared for DfID and the G8 Dot Force Implementation Team, which cited the lack of eas... continue reading

DPI Journalism Fellowship

Application Deadline	21 Apr 2025
Type	Fellowship
Sponsor	Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA)
Gender	Men and Women

Aim and Benefits of DPI Journalism Fellowship

• A grant of up to USD 1,500 to support story production.
• Access to reporting grants post-fellowship.
• Mentorship from senior journalists and digital policy experts.
• Certificate of Completion.
• Travel, accommodation, and incidental expenses for the in-person workshop

Requirements for DPI Journalism Fellowship Qualification

The fellowship is open to journalists based in the following Eastern Africa countries:

Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Applicants must:

• Be a practicing journalist with at least three years of professional experience.
• Demonstrate strong interest or experience in reporting on digital technologies, governance, human rights, or development.
• Be proficient in English or French. 
• Be available to fully participate in the three-month fellowship and in post-fellowship activities.
• Be affiliated with a credible media outlet willing to support their reporting.

Interview date, Process and Venue for DPI Journalism Fellowship

Selection Process

The selection will be based on merit and demonstrated interest in DPI-related reporting. The process includes:

• Initial application screening.
• Interviews with shortlisted candidates.
• Final selection by a panel of media and policy experts.
• Women and early-career journalists are strongly encouraged to apply.

Duration: 6 months (June–December 2025).

Structure:

• June 2025: Virtual training workshops and editorial guidance.
• July 2025: Story development and mentoring.
• August 2025: In-person workshop in Nairobi, Kenya, peer learning, and advanced training.

Outputs: Each Fellow is expected to produce at least three high-quality, published stories on DPI or DPGs during the fellowship.

 

Application Deadline

April 21, 2025

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) on docs.google.com to apply

For more details, visit CIPESA Fellowship webpage