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16th Annual Conference

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About the 16th Annual Conference (2026)

The 16th EACA Annual Conference, themed “Reimagining Communication in Africa: AI, Media Innovation and Global Collaboration,” highlights the continent’s growing influence and creativity in the global communication sphere. This event addresses how AI is transforming media work and storytelling, while exploring how African communicators can move from mere participation to leadership in global ecosystems. The conference aims to position Africa not just as a beneficiary of technology, but as an active producer of communication knowledge and solutions.

Theme Focus:

Emphasizes African-led innovation and the ethical, culturally grounded use of Artificial Intelligence.

Impact of Technology:

Examines how AI and emerging tech affect media careers, journalism, and community communication.

Social Responsibility:

Addresses misinformation, digital inequality, and media sustainability.

Peace Journalism:

Aims to promote ethical, conflict-sensitive practices to enhance social cohesion and sustainable peace in Africa.

Innovation Showcase:

Features youth-driven and community-based initiatives that strengthen digital engagement and public-interest communication.

Conference Sub-Themes

The conference covers a wide range of topics across eight major themes. Click on each theme to explore the specific topics.

  • Artificial intelligence, automation, and the future of media in Africa
  • Digital governance, data protection, and ethical AI in communication
  • Emerging technologies and the African creative economy (film, music, gaming)
  • Platform power, algorithms, and African public discourse
  • Influencer marketing, social media, and journalism in the Global South
  • Digital economy
  • Transforming newsrooms: Innovation, fact-checking, and solutions journalism
  • 12.Misinformation, disinformation, and trust in African media
  • Environmental journalism, climate change, and sustainable media practices
  • Transforming media systems: Research, policy, and training for journalist protection
  • Strategic business communication, diplomacy, and Africa’s global partnerships
  • Public relations, brand Africa, and strategic communication for global influence
  • Organizational communication, entrepreneurship, and innovation
  • Strategic leadership and workplace communication
  • Faith communication in the age of artificial intelligence and digital technologies
  • Visual, multimedia, and social media storytelling for faith formation and engagement
  • Crisis communication and leadership in faith-based contexts
  • Ethics and responsibility in digital faith communication
  • Rethinking African security in the digital world
  • Communication in conflict, peacebuilding, and humanitarian contexts
  • Covering migration and mobility in Africa
  • Reporting of labour migration in Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Strategic communication for sustainable development (SDGs)
  • Gender, education, and inclusive development communication
  • Innovative communication for health and wellbeing
  • Africans in the global public sphere: Identity, voice, and representation
  • Indigenous knowledge systems and intercultural communication
  • Decolonizing communication research, pedagogy, and knowledge production in Africa
  • Innovations and competency-based approaches for teaching communication in a digital and AI-driven era
  • Emerging research methods, ethics, and responsible scholarship in communication
  • Strengthening research capacity and shaping communication teaching and research in Africa
  • Policy, regulation, and governance of AI and digital media platforms in Africa
  • Freedom of expression, responsible communication, and ethical considerations in the digital age
  • Inclusivity, accessibility, and equity in AI and media policy, with a focus on Africa

About the Host: St. Paul’s University (SPU)

The 2026 conference is hosted by St. Paul’s University through its School of Communication and Computer Studies. Located in Limuru, Kenya, the university provides a reflective yet dynamic environment for dialogue on how local experiences inform global communication futures. As a mission-founded institution dedicated to holistic education, St. Paul’s is committed to developing exemplary practitioners who contribute to the development of Africa and the world.

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