AMF 2025 Program Update

January 27, 2025
Christine Mungai, Curator's Desk
BARUA YA BARAZA: AMF 2025 Program Update Greetings, friends: I’m so excited to share what’s happening behind the scenes as we bring the Africa Media Festival 2025 to life. The response to our call for pitches has been phenomenal. Your ideas, creativity, and passion have blown us away, and I’m grateful to everyone who submitted a pitch to help shape this year’s program. While we couldn’t include every pitch (and trust us, the competition was fierce!), the ideas we’ve selected reflect the energy, innovation, and diversity of the media space in Africa today. Each session is designed to provoke thought, inspire collaboration, and spark meaningful conversations. The final program is shaping up, and we will begin sharing details of the confirmed speakers on the AMF social media handles over the next few weeks. Here’s a glimpse of the four festival tracks that will guide this year’s conversations:

1. Media, AI, and Tech 💻

How is technology transforming storytelling and journalism? This track will spotlight the intersection of innovation and media, from AI tools to new platforms, and how they’re reshaping how stories are told.

2. Social Impact 💡

What role does media play in shaping society? From tackling misinformation to driving governance, this track focuses on how storytelling and journalism can influence positive change and address pressing societal challenges.

3. Elevating Voices 📢

Who’s not being heard? This track amplifies underrepresented voices, exploring how media can better tell stories of marginalized communities and create a more inclusive industry.

4. Creative Economy 💸

Where creativity meets business. This track dives into how media and storytelling intersect with entrepreneurship, funding, and market growth to build a sustainable creative ecosystem in Africa. Each track is packed with workshops, panels, and demos that highlight the most exciting trends and ideas shaping the future of media on the continent.

To Those Who Pitched

All I can say is thank you! While we couldn’t include every pitch in the final program (a tough decision, given the quality of submissions), I want you to know how much we value your contribution. Every pitch helped shape our understanding of the key conversations and trends shaping the media space, and I’m grateful for the time, effort, and passion you poured into your ideas. Even if your idea wasn’t selected this time, I hope you’ll continue to be part of the AMF community—whether by attending the festival, engaging in conversations, or pitching again in the future. This is your platform as much as it is ours, and we’re excited to continue growing together. The ticket link is below; they’re selling out fast. In the meantime, here’s: What I’m Reading: How Far Would You Go to Make a Friend? A bunch of new start-ups are hyping the loneliness epidemic and are, of course, happy to offer solutions. What I’m Watching: Why Africa’s Largest City is a Terrible Place to Live. The title of this video is more sensational than it needs to be, because this is a beautifully presented piece on the history of the city of Lagos, Nigeria. I’d love to see more of this kind of storytelling in Kenya.  What I’m Listening to: The Message, by Ta-Nehisi Coates. This is one of those rare occasions when I listen to an audiobook as opposed to reading the text. This may seem like stating the obvious, but there really is something to hearing the author’s voice.   My best, Christine Mungai Curator | Baraza Media Lab   The Countdown to AMF 2025 is On—Are You Joining Us? With just a few weeks to go, the energy around Africa Media Festival 2025 is building. This year’s festival isn’t just about conversations—it’s about real, tangible connections. It’s about stepping into a space where journalists, creatives, and media practitioners from across the continent gather not just to listen, but to share, to challenge, and to build something that lasts beyond the two days we’ll spend together. If you’ve been waiting for the right time to get your ticket, this is it. Join us at the National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, on February 26–27, 2025. 🎟️ Secure your spot now: www.africamediafestival.com   Baraza Opportunity Board |  Connecting Media & Creative Talent to Opportunities Baraza Media Lab | Research Manager Baraza Media Lab is launching an exciting new initiative to explore cutting-edge trends, challenges, and opportunities at the intersection of media, technology, and society. We are seeking a Research Manager to drive this initiative, shape its vision, and establish its foundations. The Research Manager will also be responsible for developing robust systems for internal monitoring, evaluation, and impact tracking to share useful insights from BML programming to the community. This is a unique opportunity to join a dynamic team and make a significant impact on Kenya’s media and creative ecosystem.   View the full list of opportunities.  
Know someone who would appreciate an article like this? Share it with them.

You may also like
Curator's Desk, Martie Mtange

Get To Know Your Curator

After a long hiatus, we're back! I've drafted many introductions, but I've realized it's best to start with a "Get-to-know-your-Curator" post before diving into lengthy discussions. From there, we can explore ideas and collaborations together. I'm excited to hear your thoughts, so please feel free to reach out!

September 17, 2025

Vacancies

We currently have no openings but kindly check out and subscribe to our bi-monthly newsletter Barua Ya Baraza for vacancies and opportunities within the broader ecosystem

Contact Us
Become a Member