27 Aug 2017

Barclays Africa Group has once again sponsored data journalism training of a group of journalists from nine African countries.

From Botswana, a press release from Barclays Bank Botswana says Pauline Dikuelo and Tshepiso Gabotlhomolwe have been selected for the sponsorship to participate in the training and the Highway Africa conference that runs from August 31 to September 1, 2017.

As part of the sponsorship, 20 participants from Botswana, Ghana, Mauritius, Mozambique, Zambia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Seychelles will be trained in capital markets, sovereign debt, and cleaning and visualizing data at this annual Highway Africa conference, which brings together over 300 media professionals from across Africa.

The pan-Africa financial services group, as per the release, hosts an annual Data Journalism Master Class at Rhodes University, which provides business journalists with a high-level refresher course on how to report on complex financial matters.

Barclays Africa Group head of communications, Songezo Zibi, as stated in the release, says financial journalism is very important ‘because it enables ordinary people to make sense of what is happening in the economy, and to take considered decisions.’

This year’s conference themed:  “Media, Accountability and Local Governance” will explore the role that journalism plays in holding local government officials accountable.
Barclays Africa Group has been associated with the Rhodes University’s Highway Africa conference for the past fifteen years. Ends