Apply now
Asharami Square is Sahara Group's thought-leadership platform on energy, governance and sustainability. The Fellowship is its next chapter — moving from convening the conversation to investing directly in the journalists who tell it.
Rooted in Sahara Group's Sahara Beyond XXX vision, the Asharami Energy Reporting Fellowship is not about looking back — it is about building forward.
It is an investment in the thinking, talent, and systems that will shape how Africa understands and advances its energy future.
Because the future of energy will be shaped by the clarity of its stories and those who tell them. In that ecosystem, journalists are not just storytellers — they are essential infrastructure.
Strengthen Energy Reporting
Strengthen journalistic capacity to report Africa's energy systems with depth, balance, and accuracy.
Surface Underreported Stories
Give more visibility to energy stories that illuminate trade-offs, constraints, and real-world impact.
Inform Transition Narratives
Strengthen the quality of stories that inform policy, investment, and public trust in energy systems.
Build Journalist Community
Build a long-term community of journalists equipped to engage energy issues critically and responsibly.
Drive Evidence-Led Storytelling
Support field-based, evidence-led storytelling that goes beyond announcements and policy soundbites.
Up to $5,000 in total fellowship value, including a $3,500 grand prize designed to support bold, impactful energy storytelling.
Masterclasses & workshops
Expert-led masterclasses and practical workshops to deepen understanding of Africa's energy landscape.
Inside the energy chain
Exclusive facility tours and direct engagement with practitioners across the energy value chain.
Connections that last
Access to a curated network of industry leaders, mentors, and peers, building connections that extend beyond the fellowship.
Telling Africa's energy story. Shaping solutions.
We are looking for bold, investigative stories that uncover the real challenges shaping Africa's energy and environment — powered by credible research, data-driven insights, and reporting that goes beyond diagnosis to propose practical, forward-looking solutions.
Reporters telling Africa's story — wherever they work.
Apply
Submit your story.
Selection
Entries will be evaluated by an independent panel of experts, with expertise spanning journalism, energy and sustainable development.
Fellowship
Funding, and immersion in a curated programme of learning, industry exposure, and mentorship.
Entries should be stories published or broadcast between January and October 30, 2026.
Your submission must be:
Submissions must be the journalist's original work, not previously entered for award consideration, and must include complete and accurate citation of all sources and references.
Well-researched, fact-checked reporting that demonstrates journalistic rigour and meaningful analytical depth.
Focused on uncovering underreported energy stories across the continent that reflect real-world complexity and challenge.
Proposes or highlights practical, solutions-oriented perspectives that advance Africa's energy narrative with clarity and purpose.
Journalists are invited to submit an original story aligned with the Fellowship theme.
Demonstrate clear public-interest relevance
Avoid promotional or advertorial framing
Clearly articulate why the story matters now
Investigative, unbiased reporting that goes beyond the surface
Translating complex data into accessible public understanding
Evidence-based stories; what is working, what is not, and why it matters
Grounded in field reporting with credible outcomes
Tell Africa's
energy story.
Applications close October 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
No questions match your search.
Who is eligible to apply?
The Fellowship is open to practicing journalists and media professionals across Africa. Applicants must be actively practising journalism in print, broadcast, online, or multimedia journalism at the time of application.
Does my submission need to be published?
Yes. Entries must be published or broadcasted. Unpublished drafts or personal essays will not be accepted.
How do I apply?
Applications are submitted online via the Fellowship portal. You will be required to upload your entry, provide proof of publication, and complete a short application form with your professional details.
What is the prize for the winner?
The Fellowship awards one winner a cash prize of USD 3,500. In addition, the winner and the top 10 finalists gain exclusive access to a capacity-building programme featuring a masterclass, workshops, facility tours, and mentorship sessions.
What do I need to submit as part of my application?
The application is completed online via the Fellowship portal. You will need to provide:
Personal Details
Full name, contact information, and a passport-size photograph.
Professional Background
- Years of experience in journalism
- A professional bio
- LinkedIn profile link
Your Entry
- Coverage area and story title
- Geographic focus of the report
- Entry summary — story, why it matters, sources, data, societal impact, and proposed solutions
- Reporting approach: methodology (interviews, datasets, field visits, etc.)
- A public interest statement
- Medium and outlet of publication
- A link or file to the published story
Preferred: A direct URL to the published or broadcast story.
Alternative: Upload a copy (PDF, DOC, DOCX, JPG, PNG, MP4, or MP3 — max 10 MB).
A letter of attestation from your editor or an authorized executive of your media organization, confirming your role and affiliation.
What topics can I submit a story on?
Entries must cover Africa's energy sector. Submissions are accepted across the following coverage areas:
- Environment
- Power
- Economics & Development
- Policy & Governance
- Data & Technology
- Mining & Solid Minerals
I'm not an energy journalist. Can I still apply?
Yes. We welcome applications from journalists across all specialisations. However, your submission must directly engage with the energy sector and fall within one of our accepted coverage areas.
Eligible stories may cover topics within the Upstream, Midstream, and Downstream segments of the Oil and Gas Industry, as well as the Power Industry — including electricity generation, transmission, distribution, access, policy, regulation, innovation, sustainability, and energy transition-related issues.
How are entries judged, and who selects the winner?
Entries are reviewed by an independent panel of judges with expertise in journalism, energy, and sustainable development. Judges will evaluate reporting quality, relevance to Africa's energy transition, public interest value, and originality.
When will the winner and finalists be announced?
Applications will close in October 2026. Following the closure of applications, an independent judging panel will review all submissions. The top 10 finalists and the winner will be announced after the judging process is completed.
Which journalists can apply for the Fellowship?
The Fellowship is open to all journalists across Africa, especially media professionals covering the energy and environment sectors in any African country.