Al Jazeera could launch French-language news channel for Africa

Al Jazeera plans to launch a French-language news channel for Africa between now and the end of the year, according to a report in French newspaper Le Figaro.

According to the report, the Qatar-based broadcaster is looking to challenge the hold of French-based media on Francophone West Africa, following its launch some months ago of a Swahili-language version aimed at the eastern part of the continent.

The new channel will be based in Dakar in Senegal, according to Le Figaro, avoiding complex licensing requirements and regulation that a base in Paris would involve.