In a statement, Karam Gabr, the head of the SCMR, emphasized the importance of building bridges of communication and understanding between journalists and media professionals across Africa.

Gabr noted that the training course affirms Egypt's keenness to enhance media cooperation with all African countries.

“This shall contribute to bringing peoples closer together and serving the interests of the people of the African continent,” Gabr said.

He also stressed the need for the media to shed light on common concerns and joint projects between Egypt and African countries.

The three-week course is part of the Union for African Journalists' efforts to strengthen media cooperation and cultural exchange across the African continent.

The course will address issues related to development-focused media as well as the impact of artificial intelligence on African media.

Participants include journalists and media professionals from Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, the Ivory Coast, Algeria, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Congo, Chad, and Egypt.

Veteran Egyptian journalist Ezzat Ibrahim, a member of the Technical Secretariat of the Union of African Journalists, praised the SCMR’s support for the union’s activities through events and training courses.

Ibrahim, the editor-in-chief of Al-Ahram Weekly and Ahram Online, added that this course holds special importance as it coincides with the 50th anniversary of the union's founding.

The union has continued to create common spaces and bring African journalists closer together over many years, noted Ezzat.