Tanzania’s Jamii Forums transforms into Jamii Africa to bridge African voices

Dar es Salaam. African nations now have a new platform to connect digitally and amplify their voices through Jamii Africa, unveiled following the rebranding of Jamii Forums.

The rebranding was officially unveiled during a launch event in Dar es Salaam on April 24, 2025, marking a shift in the platform’s vision to cater to a broader African audience and meet the growing demand for cross-border information exchange.

The transformation also includes a five-year strategic plan that aims to enhance digital access, transparency, and democracy on the continent.

Speaking at the event, Jamii Africa executive director, Mr Maxence Melo, said the change responds to increasing interest from other African countries seeking to collaborate and share stories beyond their borders.

“The name change is meant to cater to the wider reach in Africa. Through the platform, people will access stories from Zimbabwe, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, South Africa, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The three pillars—Change of Stories, Fichua Uovu, and Jamii Check—will drive the online conversation across Africa,” said Mr Melo.

Unveiling the 2025–2030 strategic plan, he outlined key priorities including cybersecurity and infrastructure resilience, user privacy, data protection, digital rights, secure whistleblowing and reporting mechanisms, user-centric design, and civic technology development.

Swedish Ambassador to Tanzania, Charlotta Macias, hailed the platform as a home-grown innovation with the potential to empower citizens and build trust in institutions.

“Jamii Africa is not just a digital space; it is a platform that can empower citizens, promote transparency, and build trust in public institutions. I believe it can grow into a continental platform where millions of Africans connect, learn, and speak out about our shared values, challenges and hopes,” she said.

The President of the Union of Tanzania Press Clubs (UTPC), Mr Kenethy Simbaya, noted the platform’s role in equipping over 400 journalists with digital reporting skills, ensuring they stay ahead of technological changes in the media landscape.

“Our collaboration with Jamii Africa has had a positive impact. Journalists have been trained on responsible digital reporting and how to secure themselves online. I commend Jamii Africa for the commendable work they’ve done over the years,” said Mr Simbaya.

The new direction of Jamii Africa signals an ambitious move to unify African voices and promote digitally enabled storytelling that fosters accountability and shared development.