TN Africa has launched #StoryTheChange, a continental climate journalism initiative aimed at strengthening African storytelling on climate change, during the second TN Africa Digital Journalism Summit held in Kenya.
The initiative seeks to build a structured pipeline for journalists, digital creators, bloggers, and student journalists, among others, to produce compelling, evidence-based stories linking climate change to food systems and livelihoods across Africa.
Speaking at the launch, co-convener of the TN Africa Summit, Kenya Edition, Ifeoluwa Johnson said the initiative responds to gaps in African climate storytelling and the need for stronger, more human-centered narratives.
“Africa’s climate story has not been told well enough. And when a story is told poorly, people misunderstand the issue, leaders delay action, and communities carry the cost,” Johnson said.
She described #StoryTheChange as both a platform and a movement designed to shift climate reporting from problem-focused narratives to action-oriented storytelling.
“Today is not just about a summit. Today is about launching a movement. #StoryTheChange is TN Africa’s response to a real gap in African media, the need for stronger, clearer, more human climate storytelling,” she added.
Lead Convener of the TN Africa, Digital Journalism Climate Summit, Senanu Damilola Wemakor, earlier introduced the initiative during his address, describing it as a continental pipeline for collecting Africa’s climate stories and equipping young people with credible information and actionable solutions.
“We also received almost 100 subscriptions to our climate digital storytelling portal named #StoryTheChange. #StoryTheChange is TN Africa’s continental pipeline for collecting Africa’s climate stories in a bid to equip African youth with accurate and impactful climate action directives,” he said.
Wemakor emphasized that the initiative is rooted in credible journalism and creative storytelling for social progress.
“Armed with credible journalism and creative storytelling for social progress, we have come to you, dear Kenya. #StoryTheChange with us as we solve Africa’s problems with African solutions,” he told participants.
According to organizers, the initiative will operate through a structured mentorship and storytelling pipeline designed to nurture climate reporters across the continent.
The program will begin with 50 climate and food stories, from which 20 journalists will be selected for mentorship, followed by 10 fellows who will receive deeper editorial support, publication opportunities, and visibility.
“That is the pipeline: 50, 20, 10. Simple. Focused. Built for impact,” Johnson explained.
The initiative places emphasis on stories that clearly link climate change to food security, livelihoods, and community realities, while remaining accessible to digital audiences.
“We are looking for stories that are clear on the link between climate and community realities. grounded in evidence, ready for digital platforms, and written for real people, whether that is a farmer, a policymaker, or a student,” Johnson said.
Wemakor also called on participants to actively contribute to the storytelling movement and use digital platforms to amplify climate action.
“This summit is currently the most fertile ground to connect with like-minded African youth… Dare to be the starting point of this rebirth, and don’t forget to tell your story. This is not just a summit; it is a movement,” he said.
The #StoryTheChange initiative forms a key pillar of TN Africa’s broader climate journalism strategy, which aims to build a network of digital storytellers across Africa and amplify locally driven climate solutions.
Organizers say the platform will remain open for submissions after the summit, with selected stories to be published and promoted across digital platforms to reach wider audiences across the continent.
Submit your stories here: https://forms.gle/pQMi44PeZuM6YHbq9
Source: The Newsroom Africa