Comoros: CFI takes a further step towards helping the media achieve economic and editorial viability

As part of the Comoros Citizens' Voices and Youth and Media projects, the management teams of eight public and private Comorian media outlets have been trained in new business models and the strategic development of a company. This initiative represents a key milestone for these 2 complementary projects implemented by CFI, which aim to support the long-term viability of the media in the archipelago.

Strategic diagnosis and new business models

The almost total absence of a website, the fact that most teams in the private sector are made up of volunteers, the under-exploitation of the editorial and commercial potential of the public media and the need for support in the digital transition are some of the structural challenges facing the Comorian media landscape that were identified during the initial diagnosis of the Comoros Citizens' Voices project.

It was with this in mind that CFI supported the implementation of this training programme. Three key themes were addressed:
- The importance of strategic vision in the management of a media company;
- The method for conducting a general assessment (using the SWOT analysis), covering editorial and commercial aspects;
- The choice of new business models based on three strategies that can be adapted to the Comorian context: the blue ocean strategy, differentiation and closed-loop investment.

Two projects to support a media landscape in transition

The Comoros Citizens' Voices project aims to promote public debate, social cohesion and democratic values in the Comoros through the media. It has two operational objectives: Strengthen the skills of actors in the Comorian media, in particular the Comoros Radio and Television Office, to produce inclusive and participatory content, and support digital media in developing a sustainable business and editorial model.
In addition to the Comoros Radio and Television Office (ORTC), the media present included: Hayba FM, Masiwa (Grande Comore) and Mohéli Matin.

The Youth and Media project, funded by the French Embassy in the Comoros, complements this by extending support to other media outlets on the archipelago's three islands: Hadombwe Radio-Télévision (Grande Comore), Radio Dziyalandze de Mutsamudu, Radio-Télévision Ndzouani (Anjouan) and Mnara Com (Mohéli).

Training focused on the economic viability of the media

Following the initial editorial and technical training sessions held in 2024, notably the training of Comoros Radio and Television Office sound technicians and two editorial sessions bringing together media teams from the three islands, the work carried out in July 2025 marked the launch of a new phase of the project, focused on strategic development and business models for the beneficiary media outlets.

Dr David Youant, a journalist, lecturer and researcher, founder of the ALERTE INFO agency and author of the book Management des médias en Afrique : les 7 clés pour un succès éditorial et commercial (Media Management in Africa: Seven Keys to Editorial and Commercial Success), has been commissioned by CFI to deliver this training to the management teams of the beneficiary media outlets prior to the awarding of grants. The mission consisted of a theoretical training session, followed by a number of on-site visits to newsrooms in Moroni, Mutsamudu (Anjouan) and Fomboni (Mohéli).

Tangible results

Following the training, the participants carried out a comprehensive self-assessment of their organisations and drew up a plan for investing the funds allocated to them.
Their satisfaction was rated at 4 out of 5, demonstrating the partners’ genuine interest in this support, which focuses on structuring and ensuring the long-term viability of their activities, a key aspect of CFI’s work.