African Editors Unite in Nairobi to Save Journalism

Two hundred fifty of Africa's most influential media leaders will gather in Nairobi in February 2026 to chart a new course for journalism on the continent. The Africa Editors Congress represents a powerful moment when decision-makers stop talking and start building solutions.

The Africa Editors Forum is hosting the February 23-24 gathering at Aga Khan University's Graduate School for Media and Communications. Unlike typical conferences, this closed-door event focuses entirely on creating actionable plans rather than just discussing problems.

The theme says it all: "Reclaiming Value, Rebuilding Trust, Redefining Sustainability." African newsrooms face mounting pressure from tech platforms that profit from their content without fair compensation, shrinking advertising revenue, and growing public distrust in media.

Editors-in-chief, media owners, donors, and technology companies will work together on concrete solutions. They're tackling everything from getting big tech companies to pay fairly for news content to building African-led funding models that don't depend on foreign donors.

One major priority stands out: securing African control over artificial intelligence development. The continent's rare minerals power global technology, but African media leaders want to ensure the continent benefits fairly from these resources and the AI revolution they enable.

The Ripple Effect

The congress will produce seven practical tools that media leaders can use immediately. An Editors' Playbook on Collective Bargaining will help newsrooms negotiate better deals with tech platforms. A three-year partnership framework will guide donor relationships through 2029.

Small and community newsrooms will get special attention through a dedicated support framework. These local outlets often serve communities ignored by larger media but struggle most with funding challenges.

The gathering builds on commitments made at the M20 Johannesburg Declaration, which called for stronger information integrity and sustainable media in the face of platform dominance. African editors are turning those words into action plans.

Registration is now open through the official TAEF platform. Partnership opportunities welcome organizations interested in financial sponsorship, technical collaboration, and supporting small newsroom participation.

This congress represents African journalists taking control of their future rather than waiting for solutions from elsewhere.