WHAT:  The Africa Media Convention (AMC) is the annual gathering for media stakeholders across Africa, focusing on enhancing press freedom, media sustainability, and digital innovation.

WHEN:  4^th - 5^th May 2026

TIME:  0930 – 1700hr SAST

WHERE: Lusaka, Zambia  

WHO:  African Union Commission, The African Editors’ Forum, UNESCO, Network of Independent Media Councils in Africa, M20 and other Partners

Background:

At the sidelines of World Press Freedom Day 2026 in Zambia, the 2026 Africa Media Convention is profoundly informed by the global UNESCO theme: “Shaping a Future at Peace.” This overarching mandate provides the critical impetus for the continental gathering, customizing this vital imperative to address Africa’s specific media landscape. The AMC’s focus is articulated as: Shaping a Future at Peace: Towards Safe, Sustainable and Trusted Journalism.

This comprehensive and deliberate agenda is founded on a non-negotiable principle: a future characterized by peace, stability and democratic governance across the African continent is unattainable without a free, vibrant and robust press. This press must be fully empowered to operate with absolute safety, unwavering independence, and financial viability.

To attend the World Press Freedom Day events on 4 and 5 May in

Lusaka, including the AMC, please register here

Objectives:

• Media Sustainability: Develop a continental roadmap advancing Africa-led strategies that transition media organizations from fragile funding models toward diversified, resilient, and commercially viable operations.
• Press Freedom Protection: Address the misuse of sedition laws, criminal defamation, and broadly defined "false information" provisions that restrict press freedom, while promoting safeguards for independent journalism.
• Digital Transformation: Accelerate adoption of innovative technologies, platforms, and business models to strengthen African media competitiveness, reach, and relevance in the evolving digital landscape.
• Combat Misinformation: Strengthen collaborative responses to disinformation, misinformation, and mal-information while ensuring citizens' access to credible, verified, public-interest journalism.
• Institutional Strengthening: Consolidate AMC's strategic focus, clarify stakeholder roles and responsibilities, and reinforce institutional linkages with the African Union for enhanced coherence and long-term impact.

For interview requests reach out to the  AU Media Centre - Media@africanunion.org

For more information

Noel John | Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission | Email: Kenyin@africanunion.org

Faith Adhiambo ||Directorate of Information and Communication| African Union Commission |E-mail ochiengj@africanunion.org