First ever SIGNIS World Congress in Africa to be held in Rwanda

The SIGNIS World Congress is set to make history by coming to Africa for the first time. Scheduled for 2026, this landmark event will be hosted in Kigali, Rwanda, marking a significant milestone for Catholic communication on the continent.

In a recent keynote address at the 5th anniversary celebration of the Association for Catholic Information in Africa (ACI Africa), Bishop Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo of Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Oyo and ex officio of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) announced that the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) will collaborate with SIGNIS Africa to host the inaugural African SIGNIS World Congress.

This congress will bring together top media professionals and Catholic communicators from around the globe to Rwanda’s capital.

Bishop Badejo described this event as a “significant milestone” for the Catholic communication apostolate in Africa. “It is the first time the African continent is hosting this global event,” he noted, highlighting that the choice of Kigali reflects Africa’s growing influence and progress in the field of media and communication.

The SIGNIS World Congress, held every four years, serves as a crucial platform for discussing the future of media and communication. The 2026 congress will follow previous gatherings in Seoul, South Korea (2022), Quebec, Canada (2017), and Rome, Italy (2014). Bishop Badejo emphasized that this congress in Kigali will allow the world to experience Africa’s diverse pastoral richness and its contribution to global Catholic media.

The Bishop also called on EWTN, ACI Africa, and the APO Group to work together with SIGNIS Africa in preparing for this historic event. “This collaboration represents a powerful asset for advancing pastoral communication in our era of Synodality,” he said, stressing the importance of engaging with and understanding the digital culture as part of the Church’s mission.

In his address, Bishop Badejo underscored the role of Catholic media in the digital age, urging ACI Africa to focus on ethical communication and truthfulness in digital spaces. He encouraged the organization to continue its growth and commitment to high standards in media reporting, reflecting the values and mission of the Church.