By Enock Sithole
The African Investigative Journalism Conference (AIJC), the continent’s largest gathering of journalists, will this year be held outside South Africa for the first time since its inception more than two decades ago.
The 22nd edition of the conference will take place at the Aga Khan University’s Graduate School of Media and Communications, in Nairobi, Kenya, from 10 to 12 November 2026, marking a historic shift for the annual event that has traditionally been hosted in Johannesburg by the Wits Centre for Journalism.
For conference convener, Beauregard Tromp, the move reflects the event’s evolution into a truly continental platform for investigative reporting.
“We have always wanted the conference to belong to the whole continent,” Tromp said in an interview with AJENda.
Since its launch more than 20 years ago, the AIJC has grown into the largest meeting of journalists, particularly investigative journalists, in Africa. The conference typically brings together reporters, editors, trainers and academics to exchange ideas, share investigative techniques and highlight groundbreaking journalism from across the continent, said a report in wits.journalism.co.za.
Over three days, participants attend workshops, lectures, masterclasses and panel discussions on subjects ranging from cross-border investigations and digital tools to newsroom sustainability and journalist safety.
Tromp said one of the key motivations behind moving the conference to Nairobi was to broaden participation and strengthen cross-continental collaboration.
The AIJC has become a critical platform for fostering cooperation among journalists who often work in challenging political and economic environments. Many investigative projects on the continent now involve cross-border collaboration, particularly when tracking corruption, illicit financial flows or environmental crimes, he said.
Tromp said the conference plays an important role in connecting journalists who might otherwise work in isolation.
“Investigative reporting can be a lonely profession,” he noted. “But when journalists come together, share methods and build trust, they can collaborate in ways that make their work stronger and more impactful.”
Previous conferences have featured training sessions on digital security, open-source intelligence techniques and investigative data analysis, as well as discussions on the threats journalists face across the continent.
The conference also hosts the Carlos Cardoso Memorial Lecture, named after the Mozambican journalist who was assassinated in 2000 while investigating corruption. The lecture has become an important moment of reflection on press freedom and the dangers investigative reporters face, said the wits.journalism.co.za report.
Spotlight on investigative excellence
Another highlight of the conference is the African Investigative Journalist of the Year Awards, which recognise outstanding reporting across the continent.
The awards celebrate stories that expose corruption, uncover human rights abuses and hold powerful institutions accountable. Organisers say the recognition helps encourage high-quality investigative work and inspires younger journalists entering the profession.
Tromp believes such recognition is vital in a media landscape where investigative reporting often struggles for resources.
“Investigative journalism takes time, money and courage,” he said. “Celebrating the work that journalists do under difficult circumstances reminds us why this kind of reporting matters.”
The conference has also increasingly focused on the challenges facing journalism in the digital age. Topics such as artificial intelligence, misinformation and new funding models have become central to discussions at recent gatherings.
Tromp said the industry is undergoing profound change, with shrinking newsroom budgets and rising political pressures across many countries. But he remains optimistic about the future of investigative journalism in Africa.
“Across the continent we see incredibly talented journalists doing courageous work,” he said. “The conference is about giving them the tools, networks and support they need to keep telling the stories that matter.”
As preparations for the Nairobi gathering gather pace, organisers hope the shift in location will signal a new chapter for the conference, one that reflects the diversity, challenges and ambitions of investigative journalists across Africa.
“We want this to be a conference for all African journalists,” Tromp said. “Moving it across the continent is part of making that vision a reality.”
Proposals for conference topics or training session have been called in an effort to get participants to shape the event. The proposals or any enquiries should be emailed to AIJC@journalism.co.za