Russia enters African media with hub in Addis Ababa

Russia enters African media with hub in Addis Ababa

The Addis Ababa centre is the first large-scale, multi-functional editorial hub established by a Russian media company in Ethiopia.

Sputnik, the Russian state-owned news agency, has launched its first African editorial centre in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The new hub marks a significant step in Russia's efforts to expand its media presence on the continent.

Speaking at the launch, Valentina Matvienko, Speaker of the Russian Parliament, emphasised the importance of the initiative.

"This is a major step towards fostering a broad range of interactions between Russia, Ethiopia, and the African continent," she said.

The Addis Ababa centre will produce content in Amharic and English for radio, a dedicated website, social media platforms, and mobile applications. Sputnik plans to establish a network of correspondents, including at the African Union headquarters. Several Amharic language projects are already underway.

"We believe Africa is a vital voice in the world," said Dmitry Kiselev, Director-General of Rossiya Segodnya, the media group that owns Sputnik.

"The interviews we conduct here will be translated and shared in all 32 languages we operate in globally, giving Ethiopia a platform to reach a wider audience."

The Addis Ababa centre is the first large-scale, multi-functional editorial hub established by a Russian media company in Ethiopia, signifying a major investment in Russia's media strategy for Africa.

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