NAIROBI, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The fourth edition of the Africa Media Festival (AMF) kicked off on Wednesday in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, bringing together more than 200 delegates from nearly 40 countries to explore innovative ways to strengthen the resilience of the creative economy amid technological disruptions.
Convened by Baraza Media Lab, a Nairobi-based not-for-profit organization, the 2026 AMF was held under the theme "Resilient Storytelling: Reimagining Media Freedom."
Participants in the two-day forum include senior policymakers, editors, content creators, scholars, and innovators from across the continent, who focus on enhancing the visibility of African stories through both traditional and new media platforms.
Board Chairman of Baraza Media Lab Daniel Kalinaki said that during the festival, media practitioners, artists, innovators, and technologists will examine the latest industry dynamics shaped by geopolitics and emerging technologies.
He said African media has demonstrated resilience in the face of technological disruption, volatile geopolitics, and financial pressures, with media start-ups playing a leading role in reshaping the continent's narratives.
Kalinaki said media managers across the continent should be prepared to address emerging challenges such as shifting audience preferences, content monetization, and competition from social media platforms.
Some of the key highlights of the 2026 AMF include the Africa Media Awards and the launch of the Creator for Good Award, which recognizes online content creators driving positive social impact across the continent.
Christine Mungai, news editor at The Continent, a pan-African weekly newspaper, said media organizations across the continent have been collaborating to promote financial sustainability and combat disinformation.
According to Mungai, the AMF provides an open space for practitioners to confront emerging threats to the industry and build systems that can strengthen long-term resilience.
