Over 500 media leaders, editors, creators and policymakers from across Africa and beyond will gather in Nairobi on February 25–26 for the Africa Media Festival (AMF), a continental forum aimed at confronting the most urgent challenges facing the journalism industry.
Organised by Nairobi-based Baraza Media Lab, the festival comes at a pivotal moment when African newsrooms are battling shrinking revenues, tightening regulatory environments, and the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence-driven content.
Under the theme, “Resilient Storytelling: Reimagining Media Freedom,” the gathering seeks to reposition Africa’s media sector as a catalyst for innovative storytelling and strengthened public interest journalism.
Focus on Sustainability, Innovation and Policy
According to the organisers, this year’s edition of the Africa Media Festival will move beyond dialogue to practical action, with sessions dedicated to media sustainability, digital innovation, policy frameworks, and the fast-growing creator economy.
Martie Mtange, Curator at Baraza Media Lab, emphasised that the event is designed to deliver tangible outcomes rather than symbolic discussions.
“AMF is not a ceremonial conference. It is a space where Africa’s media leaders come together to confront hard truths and co-create solutions that can sustain journalism for the next generation,” Mtange said.
She noted that the festival provides a platform for collaborative problem-solving at a time when the future of independent journalism across the continent is increasingly under pressure.
Africa Media Awards to Spotlight Excellence
A key highlight of the event will be the Africa Media Awards (AMA), an independent recognition platform delivered in partnership with The Africa Editors Forum and Journalists for Human Rights.
Organisers disclosed that the 2026 edition will introduce a new category, the “Creator for Good Award,” reflecting the rising impact of digital creators in shaping public discourse and promoting social change across Africa.
Global and Continental Voices Confirmed
The festival will feature prominent industry leaders, including Will Church of Thomson Reuters, Joy Lusige of ZDF, Francesca Ekondaho of the Pulitzer Center, and Anita Eboigbe of Big Cabal Media.
Organisers said the steady expansion of the festival underscores its growing relevance at a critical period for African journalism, as media practitioners explore new business models to protect editorial independence while adapting to technological transformation.
With conversations expected to span policy reform, innovation strategies and the sustainability of independent media, the Africa Media Festival is poised to shape the direction of journalism across the continent in the years ahead.
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