At the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France, five journalists from leading media outlets in Egypt, Nigeria, and the Republic of South Africa undertook a press tour to Ukraine.
Their aim was to convey to audiences in Africa the truth about Russia’s war against Ukraine, Ukrainian resistance, and Ukraine’s role in global security, in particular food security.

This press tour became part of the systematic efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to engage African media within the framework of the communication strategy “Ukraine – African States,” which consistently expands Ukraine’s presence on the African continent.

In Kyiv, the journalists met with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Oleksandr Mishchenko and discussed the impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine on the international security system, as well as Ukraine’s achievements and plans in strengthening constructive and mutually beneficial relations with their countries and the region. In particular, the discussions focused on the opening of new Ukrainian embassies on the African continent, the launch of agro-hubs to deepen cooperation in the field of food security, and the continuation of cooperation in the area of international education.

The journalists also took part in the Fourth International Food Security Summit “Food from Ukraine,” which embodied the consistent development of the humanitarian program of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy “Grain from Ukraine” into the new initiative “Food from Ukraine.” Media representatives participated in thematic panels, became acquainted with investment projects and new trade opportunities, engaged with representatives of Ukraine’s agricultural industry, and visited exhibition stands of agricultural machinery manufacturers.

Participants of the press tour attended the Crimea Global International Conference, which brought together international experts to strengthen Ukraine’s ties with countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. During the conference, participants discussed shared challenges, global security issues, and the consequences of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. A special press conference was organized for journalists with Ukrainian experts on Crimea, human rights, and countering disinformation.

Within the counter-disinformation track, the journalists had an intensive program: they met with experts from the Center for Civil Liberties, spoke with victims and witnesses of Russian war crimes, and engaged with Ukrainian specialists who study and counter foreign information manipulation and interference in the information space (FIMI).

The group of journalists visited towns in the Kyiv region affected by Russian aggression and witnessed firsthand the destruction caused by the war, as well as the efforts of local communities in reconstruction. In Lviv, the journalists met with the Head of the Lviv City Community Andriy Sadovyi, active youth, and representatives of civil society, and paid tribute to the fallen defenders of Ukraine.

 The visit of media representatives to Ukraine was organized with the support of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation Office in Ukraine and the European Commission within the project “EU-Ukraine Strategic Communications Capacity Building Initiative.”