The Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) has announced that its flagship OFAB Media Awards (OMAs) are now open to journalists across all African countries.
Launched in 2017, the OMAs celebrate accurate, ethical, and impactful journalism that enhances public understanding of agricultural biotechnology — a vital tool in tackling challenges such as climate change, pests, and crop diseases.
Recognising shifts in the media landscape, OFAB has also introduced a new category for digital and online media, allowing digital journalists to compete alongside their peers in print, radio, and television.
Until now, the OMAs were limited to journalists from OFAB member countries — Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Malawi, Mozambique, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Ghana. With the expansion, journalists from any African state can now participate.
“The awards honour journalism that is accurate, ethical and impactful reporting that improves public understanding of agricultural biotechnology and its role in transforming African agriculture,” said Vitumbiko Chinoko, OFAB Project Manager at the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF).
So far, more than 170 journalists have been recognised at the national level, with 48 honoured continent-wide.
Eligibility and Prizes
The competition is open to accredited journalists, freelancers, content creators, and independent media professionals from mainstream and digital platforms. All entries must have been published or broadcast between July 30, 2024, and September 30, 2025, with a submission deadline of October 15, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. EAT.
Prizes include:
- Overall Winner: $3,500, a trophy, iPhone 16 Pro Max, and certificate.
- Category Winners: $1,500, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and certificate.
- Runners-up: $1,000, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and certificate.
All finalists will be sponsored to attend the award ceremony in one of the OFAB host countries.
OFAB partners with leading institutions across Africa, including INERA (Burkina Faso), EIAR (Ethiopia), CSIR (Ghana), ISAAA (Kenya), NABDA (Nigeria), COSTECH (Tanzania), UNCST (Uganda), RAB (Rwanda), NCST (Malawi), and IIAM (Mozambique), to advance agricultural biotechnology as a driver of Africa’s agricultural transformation.
