Africans Communicating Africa has called on the continent to take charge of its sustainability communications, urging Africans to tell their own stories using culturally grounded and indigenous approaches.
This call was made by the organization’s Managing Partner, Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, during her plenary address at the 2025 Global Affairs Summit, hosted by the International Relations & Diplomatic Network.
Speaking on the theme “Sustainability Communication: How Africans Can Tell Their Own Stories Using Indigenous Approaches,” Georgina emphasized the need for Africans to reclaim ownership of sustainability narratives by drawing from centuries-old knowledge systems, cultural symbols, and community practices that have historically guided the continent’s relationship with the environment.
She noted that Africa has always practiced sustainability through traditions such as rainwater harvesting, communal conservation, oral storytelling, and intergenerational knowledge transfer—shaping environmental stewardship long before global frameworks defined sustainability.
Highlighting corporate leadership on the continent, Georgina cited MTN’s long-standing commitment to sustainable practices, including its shift to digital platforms, waste reduction initiatives, and the adoption of a simplified sustainability framework built around four pillars: Doing for Planet, Doing for People, Doing for Growth, and Doing it Right. She said, This makes it easier for employees to be for.
Georgina stressed that African sustainability stories must be told by Africans, using indigenous tools such as proverbs, Adinkra symbols, music, dance, festivals, oral traditions, and local languages. These tools serve as powerful channels of communication rooted in shared identity and cultural memory.
She highlighted the vital roles of chiefs, queen mothers, farmers, artisans, elders, and other cultural custodians in shaping narratives that reflect real experiences and community-led solutions. By uplifting these voices, she stated, Africa can enhance climate diplomacy, motivate local efforts, and preserve wisdom across generations.
Issuing a strong call to action, Georgina urged African communicators and institutions to champion African-led sustainability storytelling, highlight solutions rather than focusing solely on challenges, and break down complex concepts using relatable, culturally grounded language.
She said, “Sustainability is not entirely a new concept — it is our history, our present reality, and our pathway to the future,” she said. “To move forward, we must tell our stories in our own voice, through our own lens, and in our own languages.”
Africans Communicating Africa continues to lead efforts to amplify dignified, authentic, and forward-looking African stories across various sectors, ensuring that communications about the continent remain factual, empowering, and truly representative.