Media Foundation for West Africa

Description

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) is a regional independent non-governmental organization based in Accra, Ghana. It works to promote freedom of expression, press freedom, access to information, internet freedom and media development across all 16 countries of West Africa, the 15 member states of ECOWAS plus Mauritania. It operates through national partner organisations in each country.

MFWA describes itself as the biggest and most influential media development and freedom of expression organisation in the region. It holds UN ECOSOC Consultative Status and Observer Status with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. It also has Equivalency Determination Certification from NGOSource, which certifies it as the equivalent of a public charity in the United States.

MFWA serves as the Secretariat of the Africa Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX), a continental network of free expression and media development organisations. It works with other regional and international networks, including IFEX, the Africa Freedom of Information Centre, the Global Forum for Media Development and the International Aid Transparency Initiative. It has a partnership agreement with ECOWAS and engages with African Union and UN mechanisms.

Its mission is to empower, promote and defend media and civic voices for good governance and democratic development in West Africa. It works toward a region where media freedom is fully exercised and people can express themselves and take part in governance without fear, threat or intimidation.

Under its 2025 to 2029 strategic plan, MFWA’s objectives are a freer and safer environment for independent journalism and expression, both offline and online. Another objective is media capacity that supports participatory, transparent and accountable governance. A third is greater efficiency and impact for MFWA and its partner organisations. The overall goal is restoring trust in democratic institutions through professional journalism and empowered civic voices that hold power to account.