…Uniting Global Voices to Shape the Future of Democracy, Data, and Development

By Vivian Daniel, Abuja

In exactly one week, the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) will convene over 300 delegates from across Africa and beyond for the 2025 edition of its highly anticipated Media and Development Conference (MDC2025), scheduled to hold from November 24 to 27, 2025, at the Abuja Continental Hotel.

The four-day event with the theme “Reimagining Democracy, Development, and Data for the Next Decade” promises to be a dynamic convergence of journalists, civil society leaders, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and members of the international community, all focused on shaping the future of governance and media innovation in Africa.

CJID’s Decade of Impact and Innovation

Since its establishment in 2014 as the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ), the CJID has evolved into one of Africa’s most influential journalism think-tanks. The organisation has consistently empowered media institutions across the continent to drive transparency, accountability, and sustainable development.

Rebranded in 2020, the Centre expanded its footprint beyond Nigeria into Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and The Gambia with further extensions into Francophone Africa, including Cameroon, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

According to the CJID, the gathering will not only spotlight the organisation’s decade-long legacy but also inspire bold conversations about Africa’s next chapter.

“Our goal this year is to connect the dots between democracy, development, and digital transformation. As Africa navigates new realities shaped by technology and governance shifts, the media must be central to this reimagining.”

The Event Line-Up

The conference will unfold in four major phases:

• Days 1 & 2 (Nov. 24–25): The main Media and Development Conference sessions, featuring keynote speeches, panel discussions, and exhibitions.
• Day 3 (Nov. 26): The CJID AI Summit. A full-day dialogue exploring artificial intelligence’s implications for democracy, media, and inclusive growth.
• Day 4 (Nov. 27): The National Health Dialogue, to be held at Fraser Suites, Abuja, focusing on public health, women’s health, and social accountability.

Each day, the event will commence at 9:00 a.m. WAT: bringing together thought leaders and institutions committed to a more transparent and digitally inclusive Africa.

High-Level Speakers and Diverse Voices

Among the notable speakers and panellists confirmed for MDC2025 are Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA); Vanessa Manessong, Investigative Data Analyst with Code for Africa; Rommy Mom (PhD), President, Lawyers Alert; Oluwaseun David Adepoju, Managing Partner, Co-creation Hub; Ijeoma Igwe, Senior Program Officer, Rule of Law and Empowerment; Gabriel Odunsi, Program Manager, Techsocietal; Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director, International Press Centre (IPC), Hewete Heileselassie, Editor-in-Chief, Bird Story Agency, et al.

Abdullahi is expected to deliver insights on Nigeria’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy and the role of innovation in digital governance. Manessong, on her part, will speak on data journalism, digital verification, and civic accountability in the era of AI.

Other speakers and panellists will include representatives from academia, civil society, donor agencies, and media institutions across West and Central Africa.

Thematic Focus: Democracy, Data, and Development

The conference will feature panel discussions addressing urgent issues such as media sustainability, civic trust, climate change accountability, and gender equality. These sessions will examine the intersections between governance, technology, and inclusive development.

Technical workshops will provide hands-on engagement on topics like food security, human rights, and social accountability whilst reinforcing the media’s role as both a watchdog and development partner.

The AI Summit is expected to be one of the major highlights, delving into how artificial intelligence will shape Africa’s political, economic, and social futures, underscoring that “Technology is transforming journalism and governance faster than anyone would imagine. Africa and the world at large must ensure these tools serve democracy and not threaten it.”

Recognising Excellence and Inspiring Change

As part of the week-long activities, CJID will also host its annual Excellence in Journalism Awards, celebrating outstanding investigative and fact-checking journalists across the continent.

The conference will also feature exhibitions and research poster presentations from CJID’s Data and Artificial Intelligence for Development and Accountability Centre (DAIDAC) and partner organisations.

Another major feature will be the CJID Openness Index, launched earlier in July 2025, which assesses transparency practices among African institutions – a testament to the Centre’s commitment to promoting accountability through evidence-based research.

CJID – A Platform for Ideas and Collaboration

At a time when Africa faces democratic backsliding, shrinking civic space, and persistent development challenges, MDC2025 is expected to serve as a hub for solution-driven dialogue and partnerships.

According to the organiser of the event, CJID, “This is more than just a conference. It is a call to action for the media, policymakers, and citizens to reimagine Africa’s democratic and developmental future together.”

With its growing regional presence and reputation for excellence, the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development continue to demonstrate that a free, innovative, and data-driven media remains essential to building a just, transparent, and sustainable Africa.

For virtual attendance, kindly register for the MDC2025 here