By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, is set to host the Africa Media Festival (AMF) on Feb. 25–26.
The event will bring together more than 500 media leaders, editors, creators and policymakers at a time when African newsrooms are grappling with shrinking revenues, regulatory pressure and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence-driven content.
Organised by Nairobi based Baraza Media Lab, the festival will focus on practical solutions to challenges facing journalism across the continent, including sustainability, innovation, policy frameworks and the growth of the creator economy.
Held under the theme “Resilient Storytelling: Reimagining Media Freedom,” the event aims to position Africa’s media sector as a driver of new approaches to storytelling and public interest journalism.
“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,” said Martie Mtange, curator at Baraza Media Lab.
A key component of the event is the Africa Media Awards (AMA), an independent recognition platform delivered in partnership with The Africa Editors Forum and Journalists for Human Rights. The 2026 edition will introduce a “Creator for Good Award,” reflecting the growing role of digital creators in shaping public discourse and driving social impact.
Confirmed speakers include Will Church of Thomson Reuters, Joy Lusige of ZDF, Francesca Ekondaho of the Pulitzer Center and Anita Eboigbe of Big Cabal Media, among others.
The festival has grown rapidly since its launch, with the 2025 edition attracting participants from more than 26 countries and over 200 speakers.
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About Baraza Media Lab
Founded in 2019, Baraza Media Lab is a media and creative hub that supports independent media, creators, and technologists through funding, training, and collaboration. Its mission is to build a sustainable, ethical, and inclusive media ecosystem in Kenya and re-imagine the future of African media.
Baraza Media Lab is a growing community where Africa’s media and creative minds come together to create, connect, and inspire. We create spaces where ideas are realized, relationships are strengthened, and meaningful change begins with bold conversations. Anchored in inclusion and a shared commitment to impactful storytelling, Baraza empowers media and creatives to craft narratives that reflect society, challenge perspectives, and ignite new possibilities across the continent and beyond.
For more information, visit www.barazalab.com
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