Daniel Adaji
More than 300 journalists and media leaders from across the continent will gather in Abuja in late November to reflect on how journalism can better support democracy and development over the next decade.
The 2025 Media and Development Conference, put together by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), runs from November 24 to 27. And there’s a clear sense of urgency behind its theme: Reimagining Democracy, Development, and Data for the Next Decade.
For two full days, delegates will explore the challenges confronting the media in holding power to account—at a time when elections are tense, misinformation moves fast, and many newsrooms are fighting simply to survive. Technology will have a strong seat at the table too, with conversations expected to spotlight the growing influence of data and artificial intelligence on how stories are reported and how citizens engage with public information.
The organisers have also carved out space for deeper dives. Day three shifts into CJID’s AI Summit, which will look at practical ways newsrooms can adapt to emerging tools without losing their human touch. Then on November 27, the spotlight turns to health—an area that has demanded sharper, more consistent reporting since the pandemic—with the National Health Dialogue rounding off the week.
Beyond the speeches and panels, the gathering promises a rare opportunity for journalists, civil society groups, government representatives, and international partners to build new relationships and share strategies that actually work on the ground.
With democracy facing fresh tests across Africa and the digital age reshaping everything from civic activism to public trust, CJID is betting that informed collaboration can make a real difference. And for the journalists making the trip to Abuja, the hope is simple: leave with ideas powerful enough to strengthen the societies they report on every day.
