Russian state-owned news agency and radio channel Sputnik has opened an editorial center in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa during a ceremony attended by high-ranking officials from the two countries.
Sputnik said on Wednesday (February 19) that it is the first Russian media outlet to broadcast in Amharic, an official language of Ethiopia.
“There are plans to create content for radio, a website, social networks and applications in Amharic and English, as well as correspondent work, including with the African Union. Several projects in Amharic have already been launched,” it added.
Sputnik has expanded its operations in Africa in recent years, signing cooperation agreements with the national news agencies of The Gambia, Senegal and Mauritania as well as with media organizations Radio Africa Group of Kenya and Uganda’s New Vision.
The Russian news agency broadcasts programs in English and French on radio stations in Nigeria, Botswana, Cameroon, Niger, Mali, Guinea and Zambia.
With headquarters in Moscow, it was established in 2014 and targets an international audience.
The European Union and Canada banned Sputnik after Russia sent troops to Ukraine in February 2022 over claims of spreading Kremlin “disinformation”.
