Declining Traffic, Rising Influence: RANKED 2026 to Reveal Africa’s Media Evolution

The 2026 edition of *RANKED*, Africa’s premier report on digital news media performance, will be officially launched at an event scheduled for April 23, 2026, at Amber Residence, Ikeja, Lagos.

Published by SquirrelPR and organized by Squirrel Media Technologies in collaboration with KT Communication, this annual report has become an essential reference for understanding media visibility, audience behavior, and influence across the continent.

This year’s edition offers a broader and more detailed analysis of the African media landscape, covering 13 countries across Anglophone and Francophone Africa — its widest geographic scope to date.

One of the key findings from the 2026 report indicates a decline in readership traffic across all tracked markets, pointing to shifting audience behaviors and increased fragmentation in content consumption. Despite this, the report highlights a steady rise in media influence, emphasizing that authority, credibility, and audience trust are becoming more important metrics than mere traffic numbers.

Beyond traditional traffic metrics, the latest edition introduces deeper performance indicators, such as local versus foreign audience traffic by news outlet, domain authority rankings, and audience growth in key sectors. These enhancements provide a more comprehensive view of how media platforms are evolving and where influence is being cultivated across Africa’s digital space.

The report will be officially launched during the event, making it accessible to media professionals, PR practitioners, and communication leaders seeking data-driven insights into Africa’s rapidly changing media environment.

James Ezechukwu, Co-founder of SquirrelPR, commented ahead of the launch: “The Ranked report has evolved into an invaluable resource for media relations and communications professionals across Africa. In an environment where traditional metrics are no longer sufficient, this report provides clarity on what truly drives influence and visibility. It helps practitioners move beyond assumptions and make more strategic, data-driven decisions in how they engage with the media.”

The launch will feature an expert panel comprising industry leaders including Muyiwa Matuluka, CEO of Techpoint Africa; Rasheed Bolarinwa, Head of Communications at Polaris Bank; Damilola Bright-Ukwenga, Communications Manager at ScribeTribe Africa; and Olufemi Ajasa, Online Editor of Vanguard Newspaper. The discussion will center on the theme: “The Reality of Digital Media Performance in Africa: Navigating the Future Through Data and Tools.”

Another highlight will be the unveiling of innovative PR and communications solutions developed by Squirrel Media Technologies, aimed at empowering African practitioners with more effective tools to navigate the evolving media landscape.