LBS × Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa

FEAST-AI
Curriculum Model

Financial, Economic, and Social Transformation through Artificial Intelligence — a reimagined programme that transcends journalism to equip any professional with the intelligence tools of the next decade.

8
Core Modules
20
Study Days
6+
Target Audiences
Career Pathways

Why Not Just Journalism?

AI already produces faster financial summaries than most journalists. Traditional media pay poorly and are shedding staff. The profession attracts fewer entrants each year. The programme must serve a far wider ambition.

The Opportunity

Financial literacy, ESG intelligence, data storytelling, and AI fluency are skills every sector desperately needs — from civil society to corporate boardrooms, fintech startups to government policy units.

The LBS Advantage

Pan-Atlantic University's Lagos Business School is uniquely positioned to anchor an African-rooted, globally competitive programme that combines Bloomberg's data infrastructure with LBS's business and policy expertise.

Why the FJT Model Needs a Bold Redesign

The original Bloomberg FJT programme was visionary in 2015. The world has changed dramatically. A programme designed today must reckon with the collapse of traditional media economics, the rise of generative AI, and the explosive demand for data-literate professionals across every sector.

43%

Expected decline in news website traffic over three years, according to a 2025 Reuters Institute survey of 280+ media executives across 51 countries — a devastating blow to traditional journalism business models.

38%

Share of media leaders who say they are confident about journalism's future — a staggering 22 percentage-point drop in four years. The profession is contracting, not expanding.

900+

BMIA FJT graduates across Africa since 2015. The pipeline of journalism-specific talent is valuable but narrow. The next wave of impact comes from opening the model to a vastly broader audience.

AI

Generative AI can already produce financial summaries, data analysis, and routine reporting faster than human journalists. The competitive edge for humans lies in sense-making, investigation, entrepreneurship, and governance.

ESG

Environmental, Social, and Governance intelligence is the fastest-growing professional skill demand in corporate Africa — yet almost no executive programme integrates it with AI tools and data journalism methods.

Gap

No African executive programme currently integrates financial literacy + economic analysis + social/governance intelligence + AI tool fluency + entrepreneurial skills into a single, accessible curriculum.

Six Principles That Define FEAST-AI

Every design choice in this curriculum is governed by principles derived from the convergence of journalism innovation research, Africa-specific context, and the realities of the AI era.

01 / UNIVERSALITY

Anyone Can Learn This

Content is designed for professionals without prior journalism training. A banker, a civil servant, a policy analyst, a startup founder — all should find immediate applicability in every module.

02 / AI-NATIVE

Tools, Not Theory

Every module embeds hands-on AI tool practice. Participants leave each session having used — not just heard about — tools like Bloomberg Terminal, GPT-4, Perplexity, Python for data, and sector-specific AI platforms.

03 / DUAL-TRACK OUTPUT

Job Skills AND Venture Skills

Participants simultaneously develop skills to excel within organisations AND to build independent ventures. The programme explicitly teaches content entrepreneurship, data product creation, and consultancy models.

04 / ESG-INTEGRATED

The Full FEAST Spectrum

Financial, Economic, Social, and Environmental/Governance content is woven throughout — not siloed. This reflects how African markets actually work: political economy, climate risk, and governance are inseparable from financial analysis.

05 / AFRICA-ROOTED

Local Realities, Global Standards

Case studies, data sources, regulatory frameworks, and market examples draw from Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, and the broader continent. Bloomberg data infrastructure is applied to African market intelligence questions.

06 / REVENUE-CONSCIOUS

Skills That Pay

Every module concludes with a "value creation" exercise: how does this knowledge generate income? Participants map concrete professional applications — consultancy, freelance, product, employment — before leaving each block.

Introducing the FEAST-AI Model

A radically expanded successor to the Bloomberg FJT curriculum — designed for professionals who want to understand, analyse, communicate, and profit from the forces shaping Africa's economy.

FEAST-AI
Financial · Economic · And Social Transformation through Artificial Intelligence
An 8-module, 20-day executive certificate programme delivered over 6–8 months, designed to produce professionals who can analyse, communicate, and build value from complex financial, economic, and ESG intelligence — supercharged by AI tools.

Who Is This For?

📰

Journalists & Editors

Deepen financial analysis and AI tool command

💼

Finance & Business Professionals

Add storytelling, ESG, and AI analytics to their toolkit

🏛️

Government & Policy Officials

Understand data-driven governance and public communication

🌍

Civil Society & NGO Leaders

Build advocacy intelligence and impact reporting capacity

🚀

Entrepreneurs & Founders

Build data products, content ventures, and ESG advisory practices

🎓

Academics & Researchers

Translate complex research into public and policy impact

📊

Communications Professionals

Add financial intelligence and AI content creation to PR/comms

🏦

Development Practitioners

Integrate data literacy into impact measurement and reporting

The Eight Core Modules

Filter by pillar to explore the curriculum. Each module is a 2–3 day intensive study block combining lectures, Bloomberg Terminal practicals, AI tool labs, and capstone exercises.

MODULE 01 · 3 DAYS
Markets, Money & the African Economy
Financial

The foundational financial literacy module. Participants decode how capital markets, banking systems, exchange rates, inflation, and fiscal policy interact to shape African economic outcomes — using Bloomberg Terminal as the primary analytical workspace throughout.

  • African capital markets: equities, bonds, FX, commodities
  • Reading and interpreting financial statements with AI assistance
  • Monetary policy, interest rates, and inflation in African economies
  • Bloomberg Terminal: equity screening, FX analysis, macro data
  • Sovereign debt, credit ratings, and investment grade dynamics
  • Case: Nigeria's FX crisis and monetary policy response (2023–2026)
Bloomberg Terminal ChatGPT-4o Perplexity AI Python (pandas)
MODULE 02 · 3 DAYS
Economic Intelligence: Reading the Big Picture
Economic

Macro and microeconomic analysis for non-economists. Participants learn to extract economic signals from data, interpret GDP, trade, investment flows, and sector dynamics — and translate these into insight products: briefs, dashboards, and strategic recommendations.

  • GDP, national accounts, and economic growth analysis
  • Trade flows, current accounts, and African continental trade (AfCFTA)
  • Sector intelligence: energy, agriculture, fintech, manufacturing
  • Economic forecasting with AI: scenarios, models, and uncertainty
  • Translating economics into audience-ready narratives and dashboards
  • Case: The AfCFTA opportunity — data mapping trade corridors
World Bank API IMF Data Claude AI Datawrapper Flourish
MODULE 03 · 2 DAYS
Social Intelligence: Inequality, Demographics & Development
Social

The 'S' in ESG. Participants learn to analyse and communicate inequality, poverty, gender, health, education, and human development data — connecting social conditions to market dynamics, investment risk, and policy outcomes across African contexts.

  • Social indicators: Gini, HDI, multidimensional poverty index
  • Demographic dividend and Africa's youth bulge as economic variable
  • Gender data, women's economic participation, and market opportunity
  • Health systems, pandemic economics, and social resilience
  • Social listening: AI-powered analysis of public sentiment and discourse
  • Case: Lagos urban inequality — mapping opportunity and risk
QGIS / Kepler.gl Social listening APIs UN SDG Data Brandwatch
MODULE 04 · 2 DAYS
Climate, Energy & the Green Economy
Environmental

Climate change is the defining economic variable of the next century for Africa. This module builds capacity to analyse climate risk, energy transition, green finance, and carbon markets — and to communicate these realities to investors, governments, and publics.

  • Climate risk taxonomy: physical, transition, and liability risks
  • Green bonds, carbon markets, and climate finance flows to Africa
  • Energy transition: solar, gas, and energy poverty in African markets
  • TCFD and ISSB sustainability disclosure frameworks
  • AI tools for climate data analysis and scenario modelling
  • Case: Nigeria's energy transition and the Just Transition dilemma
Climate TRACE MSCI ESG Bloomberg ESG ClimateAI
MODULE 05 · 2 DAYS
Governance, Accountability & Institutional Intelligence
Governance

The 'G' in ESG. This module equips participants to analyse corporate governance, anti-corruption, regulatory environments, public finance management, and political economy — tools for journalists, advisors, investors, and policy professionals alike.

  • Corporate governance frameworks and board accountability
  • Public financial management: budgets, procurement, and audits
  • Anti-corruption intelligence: data tools for following the money
  • Regulatory landscapes: central banks, securities commissions, tax authorities
  • AI tools for document analysis, court records, and corporate filings
  • Case: Tracing beneficial ownership in West African resource sectors
OpenCorporates OCCRP Aleph DocumentCloud AI NotebookLM
MODULE 06 · 3 DAYS
AI Fluency: Tools, Workflows & Critical Use
AI Tools

The dedicated AI module. Participants develop hands-on fluency with the AI tools transforming professional practice: from large language models and data analysis platforms to AI-powered research, visualisation, and content production. Critical evaluation of AI outputs is central.

  • How LLMs work: capabilities, limitations, and hallucination risks
  • Prompt engineering for research, analysis, and content production
  • AI for data analysis: Python, R, and no-code tools
  • AI-powered visualisation: charts, dashboards, and interactive graphics
  • Verification and fact-checking in an AI-saturated information environment
  • Ethics of AI use: bias, attribution, transparency, and editorial standards
  • Building your own AI-assisted research and content workflow
GPT-4o Claude 3.5 Gemini Perplexity Julius AI Gamma NotebookLM
MODULE 07 · 2 DAYS
Data Storytelling & Intelligence Communication
AI + Communication

The translation module. Participants learn to transform complex data and analysis into compelling, accurate, and actionable communications — for public audiences, corporate boards, investors, and policy makers — across multiple formats and platforms.

  • Narrative structure for financial and economic intelligence
  • Data visualisation principles: chart selection, design, and clarity
  • Writing for different audiences: public, boardroom, policy, investor
  • Multimedia and interactive storytelling: video, podcast, and web
  • AI-assisted writing, editing, and translation workflows
  • Building a personal intelligence brief, newsletter, or dashboard product
Datawrapper Flourish Observable Substack ElevenLabs
MODULE 08 · 3 DAYS
Intelligence Entrepreneurship: Building Your Practice
Entrepreneurship

The capstone entrepreneurship module. Participants design and pitch a viable intelligence venture or professional practice — a newsletter, data consultancy, ESG advisory, research service, or content platform — built on the skills acquired throughout the programme.

  • Intelligence product typology: newsletters, dashboards, advisory, research
  • Revenue models: subscriptions, retainers, licensing, and grants
  • Building an audience and distribution strategy
  • AI tools for solo and small-team content production at scale
  • Legal and business structure: IP, contracts, and professional registration
  • Capstone: Design, build, and pitch your intelligence venture
  • Alumni network and mentorship: pathways after certification
Beehiiv Substack Notion AI Make.com Zapier

Build Your Custom Learning Path

Select your audience profile, programme duration, and priority pillars to generate a customised FEAST-AI schedule. This replicates the Shiny application logic embedded in the Quarto document.

Your Customised Learning Path
20 DAYS · 7 MONTHS

Three Programme Tracks

FEAST-AI is designed for flexible delivery to maximise access across Africa's diverse professional contexts.

Foundation Track

6 Days · 2 Months
  • Modules 1, 6 & 7 only
  • Financial markets + AI tools + storytelling
  • Suitable for total beginners
  • Certificate of Completion
  • Pathway to full certificate

Intensive Track

12 Days · 4 Months
  • Modules 1, 2, 5, 6, 7 & 8
  • Financial + governance + AI + entrepreneurship
  • For experienced professionals
  • Certificate of Completion
  • Pathway to full certificate

Dual-Track Outcomes

Every FEAST-AI graduate exits with both employment-ready and venture-ready capabilities.

Employment Track — Career Advancement

📈

Financial Analysis & Reporting

Produce Bloomberg-grade financial analysis reports for media, corporate, or investor audiences using AI-augmented workflows.

🌐

ESG Intelligence Roles

Qualify for sustainability analyst, ESG communications, and impact reporting positions — one of Africa's fastest-growing professional categories.

🏛️

Policy & Government Intelligence

Produce data-driven policy briefs, budget analyses, and governance reports for government ministries, legislative bodies, and multilaterals.

🤖

AI-Augmented Professional Practice

Integrate AI tools into any professional context — from newsrooms to boardrooms — with critical awareness of risks and editorial standards.

Venture Track — Independent Practice

📬

Intelligence Newsletter / Publication

Launch a subscription intelligence product targeting business professionals, investors, or policymakers — Africa's fastest-growing independent media format.

🔬

Data & Research Consultancy

Offer financial, economic, or ESG research services to corporates, NGOs, development banks, and government clients on a retainer or project basis.

📊

Intelligence Dashboard Products

Build and licence proprietary data intelligence dashboards for sector-specific clients — from energy companies to agricultural value chains.

🎤

Training & Capacity Building

Deliver financial literacy, ESG, and AI training to organisations — becoming part of Africa's growing ecosystem of specialist executive educators.

Why LBS is the Ideal Anchor Institution

Lagos Business School sits at a unique intersection: a globally accredited African business school with deep connections to Nigeria's financial, corporate, and policy elite — and a demonstrated commitment to executive education that drives continental impact.

  • Proven Bloomberg Partnership: LBS faculty have been part of the BMIA FJT consortium since Phase 1 in 2015. Dr. Bongo Adi served as Consortium Faculty for the inaugural Nigeria cohort.
  • Executive Education Excellence: LBS's executive programmes attract Nigeria's leading professionals — exactly the FEAST-AI target audience.
  • Africa's Financial Capital: Lagos is sub-Saharan Africa's largest economy and financial hub. Bloomberg Terminal access and corporate network partnerships are uniquely viable here.
  • SMC Collaboration: Partnership with LBS's Strategy, Marketing & Communications faculty enriches the storytelling and entrepreneurship modules.
  • Strathmore Consortium: The LBS-Strathmore relationship ensures FEAST-AI can scale pan-African delivery in Year 2 and beyond.

FEAST-AI Pillar Emphasis

Financial
Economic
AI Tools
Entrepreneurship
Governance
Environmental
Social

Implementation Roadmap

A phased approach to developing and launching FEAST-AI at LBS, aligned with the Bloomberg RFP process and Strathmore consortium coordination.

PHASE 01 · MONTHS 1–2

Proposal Submission & Consultation

Submit expanded FEAST-AI proposal to Bloomberg/Strathmore RFP process. Convene LBS faculty team (Bongo Adi + SMC colleagues). Consultation call with Strathmore Secretariat to align on scope and budget.

PHASE 02 · MONTHS 2–4

Curriculum Development & Faculty Workshop

Full curriculum design, case study development, AI tool integration planning. Faculty training workshop in Nairobi (as per Bloomberg FJT tradition). Bloomberg Terminal access agreement and data licensing.

PHASE 03 · MONTHS 4–5

Recruitment & Cohort Selection

Open applications to the expanded target audience — beyond journalists. Partnership outreach to corporate, NGO, and government institutions for cohort nominations. Selection and onboarding of 40–60 participants.

PHASE 04 · MONTHS 5–12

Programme Delivery — Cohort 1

Seven study blocks over 6–8 months. Each block is 2–3 days in Lagos (LBS Ajah campus). Bloomberg Terminal lab, AI tool workshops, and guest practitioner sessions embedded throughout.

PHASE 05 · MONTH 12+

Graduation, Alumni Network & Scale

Graduation ceremony and capstone venture pitches. Launch of FEAST-AI alumni network. Evaluation and impact documentation for Bloomberg Philanthropies. Planning for Cohort 2 expansion and potential pan-African replication.