NAIROBI – Sept 23 (The African Portal) -The Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) has announced that its flagship OFAB Media Awards (OMAs) are now open to entries from all African states.
First launched in 2017, the OFAB Media Awards (OMAs) recognise accurate and ethical journalism that helps the public better understand agricultural biotechnology — a tool seen as vital in addressing farming challenges such as climate change, pests and crop diseases.
For the first time, the competition will be open to journalists from all African states, not just the 10 OFAB member countries of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Malawi, Mozambique, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Ghana.
“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).
New digital media category
Reflecting shifts in the media landscape, OFAB has introduced a new category for online and digital journalism, in addition to the existing print, radio and television awards.
Eligible applicants include accredited journalists from mainstream and digital outlets, as well as freelance reporters and content creators. There are no entry fees.
Entries must have been published or broadcast between 30 July 2024 and 30 September 2025. The deadline for submissions is 15 October 2025 at 17:00 EAT.
Prizes and recognition
The overall winner will receive $3,500 in prize money, a trophy, an iPhone 16 Pro Max and a certificate. Category winners will each receive $1,500, an iPhone 15 Pro Max and a certificate, while runners-up will be awarded $1,000, an iPhone 15 Pro Max and a certificate.
All finalists will be sponsored to attend the award ceremony, which takes place in one of the OFAB countries.
Since its inception, the OMAs have recognised more than 170 journalists at the national level and 48 at the continental level.
The awards are organised in collaboration with institutions that host OFAB chapters, including Ghana’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Nigeria’s National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) and Ethiopia’s Institute for Agricultural Research (EIAR), among others.
