The role
- The FT is looking for a West Africa Correspondent, an exciting and challenging role requiring a strong commitment to business, economic, political and social news from a complex region of nearly 20 countries.
- Nigeria is by far the biggest economy in the region and before long will be the third most populous country in the world. The successful candidate will be able to forge links with the business and political class to bring us scoops, investigations and the inside story from one of the world’s most dynamic yet dysfunctional countries.
- The correspondent will write perceptively about “Tinubunomics”, a drastic attempt to reform a long underperforming economy about which the jury is still out. You will produce compelling journalism about a country of 220mn people with some of the biggest development challenges on Earth, from insurgency to corruption and the resource curse, and with one of the most entrepreneurial business communities anywhere in Africa. Nigeria is also home to a vibrant cultural scene from movies and paintings to literature.
- The correspondent will also report widely from a region that comprises relatively successful economies such as Ghana, Ivory Coast and Senegal as well as those in the so-called coup belt that are home to a volatile mix of extremism and nationalism. Travel in the region can be stressful and the correspondent must be prepared for some tough assignments.
- There are big themes to explore from climate change and commodities to rising debt burdens and the fragile state of democracy; from youth unemployment to population growth; and from industrialisation to the growing influence of Russia and China. The successful candidate will bring these themes to life with narratives and personalities and be as interested in probing the finances of the Dangote Group as the grappling with the popular appeal of Ibrahim Traoré. There is opportunity to write for all sections of the FT including the news pages, the Big Read, the energy blog, Project Publishing and FT Weekend.
- The role has long been based in Lagos but we may be open to locating the job elsewhere in the region. The candidate must have a strong ability to pierce through the noise and fog of shaky statistics to produce factually accurate and analytically rigorous stories. A good knowledge of French is preferred.
The use of AI
- Original reporting, great writing and intelligent commentary lie at the heart of FT journalism. Our readers trust us to produce quality journalism that is accurate, fair and insightful. This is why FT editorial staff do not by default use artificial intelligence AI tools to write articles or create other reader-facing content. For specific and pre-approved cases, AI can be harnessed for certain tasks, such as assisting data research for investigations.
- We expect applicants to the FT newsroom to refrain from using AI in their test submissions, and any written materials should be a genuine reflection of their own knowledge, skills and experiences. We encourage candidates only to employ AI as a tool to help with research and interview readiness for a role.
- Candidates should be aware that the use of AI throughout the application process is monitored to ensure a fair and transparent hiring process for all.
