**Johannesburg, South Africa, August 24, 2022** – The Google News Initiative (GNI) today announced the third cohort of its GNI Africa Innovation Challenge. This year, GNI will award $3 million (USD) in funding to support 24 news organizations across 16 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The grantees represent a diverse range of media outlets, including independent digital publishers, community radio stations, and print newspapers..
The GNI Africa Innovation Challenge is a competitive grant program that supports innovative journalism projects that address critical information needs in sub-Saharan Africa. This year’s grantees will use their funding to develop new products and services, expand their reach into underserved communities, and train journalists in new skills..
Some of the projects that will be funded this year include:.
* **Ghana:** The **Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association** will use its grant to launch a new digital platform that will provide news and information to underserved communities in rural areas..
* **Kenya:** The **Nation Media Group** will use its grant to develop a new mobile app that will provide personalized news and information to users based on their interests..
* **Nigeria:** **The Punch Newspapers** will use its grant to launch a new investigative journalism unit that will focus on corruption and human rights abuses..
* **South Africa:** The **Mail & Guardian** will use its grant to expand its reach into underserved communities by launching a new print edition in isiZulu..
* **Uganda:** The **Daily Monitor** will use its grant to train journalists in new skills, such as data journalism and mobile storytelling..
**Commenting on the announcement, Charles Murito, Google’s Head of News Partnerships for Sub-Saharan Africa, said:**.
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