ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – From 11 to 14 May, communication professionals from the ten countries implementing the FAWE/Mastercard Foundation Phase II Program gathered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for the Communications Bootcamp 2026. Held under the theme *“Amplify to Influence,”* the four-day intensive training brought together practitioners from across the continent to strengthen strategic communication, storytelling, media engagement, and continental coordination in order to enhance the visibility and impact of the program across Africa.
Designed as a highly practical and interactive learning experience, the Bootcamp focused on producing tangible outputs from every session, fostering peer learning and exchange across countries, strengthening implementation-focused communication approaches, and building compelling stories capable of influencing change at multiple levels. The engagement also placed strong emphasis on positioning alumni as ambassadors of impact, advocacy, and sustainability, recognizing that the most powerful voices for the program often belong to those whose lives have been directly transformed.
During one of the sessions, FAWE Deputy Executive Director Ms. Teresa Omondi-Adeitan underscored the centrality of communication to program success, noting that “communication is a very critical component to the success of the program.” Her remarks reinforced the understanding that even the most effective interventions risk remaining invisible without deliberate, professional, and ethical communication strategies that center the voices of young people.
The Bootcamp was further enriched by the participation of two distinguished guest speakers from the Mastercard Foundation. Ms. Joy Doreen Biira, Head of Program Communications for SETC, emphasized the importance of leveraging media to amplify program visibility while also highlighting the critical need for safeguarding, particularly for persons with disabilities. Her intervention reminded participants that visibility must never come at the cost of dignity, safety, or ethical representation. Mr. Teshome Fantahun Hassen, Lead for Health Communications – Human Capital Development, facilitated an engaging session on crafting impactful stories that resonate with diverse audiences and inspire concrete action.
Throughout the four days, communication professionals from FAWE national chapters engaged in collaborative exercises, shared lessons learned from their respective contexts, and developed practical tools and action plans to strengthen their work upon return to their countries. The Bootcamp provided a valuable platform for collaboration, shared learning, and the strengthening of communication approaches that amplify scholar and alumni voices while positioning transformative education pathways at both national and continental levels.
As the Phase II program continues to roll out across ten African countries, the enhanced communication capacities developed during the Bootcamp are expected to contribute significantly to improved program visibility, greater stakeholder engagement, and more effective advocacy for gender-transformative education.