About Us
The MFWA is a regional independent non-governmental organisation with a network of national partner organisations in all 16 countries in West Africa. It is the biggest and most influential media development and freedom of expression organisation in the region with UN ECOSOC (Economic and Social Council) Consultative Status. At the Africa Union (AU) level, the MFWA has Observer Status with the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR). The MFWA also has Equivalency Determination Certification with NGOSource that certifies the organisation as being the equivalent of a public charity in the United States. The MFWA is also the Secretariat of the continental Network of the most prominent Free Expression and Media Development Organisations in Africa, known as the Africa Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX). It also works in partnership with other regional and international organisations through different networks such as IFEX, AFEX, the Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC), the African Platform on Access to Information (APAI), Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD), and International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI). The organisation also has a partnership agreement with the regional inter-governmental body, ECOWAS. It also engages frequently with mechanisms of the African Union (AU) and the UN.
Our Mission
To empower, promote and defend media and civic voices for good governance and democratic development in West Africa.
Our Vision
A peaceful West Africa in which media freedom is fully exercised and all persons are able to express themselves and participate in governance processes without fear, threat or intimidation.
Core Values
The MFWA’s work over the next five years (2025 – 2029) will be guided by the values of the organisation, which include the following:
• Equality, liberty, and social justice, irrespective of belief, race, ethnicity or sex
• Independence, non-partisanship, and non-sectarianism
• Excellence and professionalism
• Resilience
• Digital inclusion
• Accountability, transparency, and good stewardship
• Teamwork, collaboration, cooperation, partnership, and solidarity
Strategic Objectives
- A freer and safer environment for independent journalism and expression (offline and online)
- Strengthened media capacity that enables participatory, responsive, transparent and accountable governance
- Increased efficiency, influence and impact of MFWA and its partner organisations
Overall Strategic Goal
The overall strategic goal of the organisation during the five-year period (2025–2029) will be to contribute to ensuring that:
Media and civic voices are respected and defended in West Africa; and trust in democratic institutions and the media are restored through professional journalism and empowered civic voices that hold power to account.
You can also learn about our Thematic Programmes.