New African television channel, Africa7, launched in Dakar

"This is a project which has long been in development," said Mamadou Baal, vice president of the group which owns the channel, during its launch in the Senagelese capital.

"It is an educational, pan-African, television channel," he said, adding that the "7" in the title referred to the five regions of Africa, (North, South, East, West and Central), the diaspora, and the rest of the world.

The channel, which is aimed largely at women who make up the majority of its staff, employs about 100 people, including some 40 journalists, according to programme director Selly Yaya Wane.

Africa7, which is currently produced at its headquarters in Dakar, intends to later develop shows in other parts of the continent and eventually broadcast in Asia, Europe and America.