African broadcasters have converged on Seychelles to discuss how artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud technology can improve broadcasting services while preserving public trust, human judgement and authentic African storytelling.
The meeting, the 10th Southern Africa Broadcasters Convention (SABA), opened on Thursday, October 22, at the Avani Barbarons Seychelles Resort with the theme: “Reimagining Next: AI, Cloud and the Future of Broadcast Media in Africa.”
The four-day convention is co-convened by the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), the Southern Africa Broadcasting Association (SABA) and Broadcast Media Africa.
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It brings together broadcasting executives, media practitioners and technology partners from across the continent.
Declaring the convention open, Seychelles Vice-President ,Sebastien Pillay, who also oversees Information and Communications Technology (ICT), said broadcasters across the region face common challenges involving audiences, technology and trust.
“The same tools that tell true stories also make false ones, cheap and fast, and audiences struggle to know what is real,” he said.
Greater Cooperation
Pillay called for greater cooperation among African broadcasters in sharing skills, tools and content, noting that smaller countries such as Seychelles could benefit from the experience of larger broadcasting organisations.
“African stories are best told by Africans,” he stated.
In his address, SBC Chief Executive, Bérard Duprès, said changing audience habits are forcing broadcasters to rethink content delivery.
“Audiences are consuming content differently, expecting immediacy, accessibility and engagement across multiple platforms,” he said.
Speaking to reporters, Duprès said relationships built through such forums have helped SBC introduce its radio app, SBC Plus and Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT).
He said exchanges between broadcasters, including country reports, would help participants understand shared challenges, identify practical solutions and strengthen regional cooperation.
“How do we ensure that these technologies, like artificial intelligence, strengthen rather than dilute our public service mandates?” he asked.
Duprès noted that while AI can assist with content production, broadcasters must retain control over the stories they tell and the authenticity that connects them with audiences.
In his remarks, on behalf of SABA, Eswatini TV Chief Executive, Mlamuli Dlamini, said technological change must remain guided by human creativity and editorial responsibility.
Among the media executives from other regions of Africa attending the convention are representatives of the Voice of Nigeria (VON) and the Tanzanian Broadcasting Corporation (TBC).
