SIGNIS Africa Official Appeals for Support as Continent Prepares to Host First-Ever World Congress in Rwanda

Nairobi, 27 November, 2025 / 11:51 PM

A member of the SIGNIS Africa Assembly of Delegates has challenged the Church in Africa to support the ongoing preparations for the first-ever SIGNIS World Congress to be held on the continent.

Speaking to ACI Africa on the sidelines of the Meeting of Catholic Broadcasters in Africa and Communication Coordinators, Sr. Adelaide Felicitus Ndilu shared updates on the preparations for the international gathering of communication professionals and practitioners, emphasizing that “much is expected” of the Catholic Church in Africa.

“This is the first time it's coming to Africa. It's ours,” Sr. Adelaide said during the November 26 interview at the Mariapolis Piero Centre in Kenya’s Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi (ADN), alluding to the event, which is scheduled to take place in Rwanda’s Catholic Archdiocese of Kigali from 3-8 August 2026. 

Africa is “very excited” to host the event, said the Kenyan-based SIGNIS Africa official and went on to send her appeal to the people of God on the continent “to get out in large numbers to support this event.”

“We can look for funds from outside, but let's be there to support the event in one way or the other and to be part of it,” she said.

The Kenyan-born member of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) told ACI Africa that preparations for the global event, which “provides a platform for participants to engage in substantive discussions, exchange ideas, and contemplate the future trajectory of media and communication” are progressing well.

“Preparations have been going on well,” she said, confirming that the planning committees have already settled for the main theme and sub themes for the global event expected to bring together about 500 delegates from Africa, Latin America, North America, Pacific, Asia, and Europe.

The SIGNIS Africa delegate said the general theme for the event is ‘Digital Communication ‘Digital Communication for Communion, Equity, and Environmental Well-being’. “We also have sub-themes focusing on Synodality, environmental issues, AI,  protection for the vulnerable, and on gender equality,” she added.

“These are global issues that the Church must engage with,” said the IHM member, explaining that the choice of the theme followed “a reflection on what the Church is currently speaking about and on the pressing issues affecting both the Church and the world.”

She added, “We also recognized the richness of African culture. Africa’s cultural heritage is extraordinarily rich. The conference theme needed to reflect that. In addition, digital media and artificial intelligence are transforming communication worldwide.”

“We want to learn from more technologically advanced countries and understand how these tools can support our mission in Africa,” Sr. Adelaide who also serves as a Consulter of the Vatican Dicastery for Communication (DFC) said.

She further explained that both the main and sub themes would also be helpful for partnerships noting that the choice of the theme, which is aligned with global priorities not only addresses “relevant issues but also positions the event to attract the necessary support.”

In the November 26 interview with ACI Africa, Sr. Adelaide said the organizing committees have  also finalized on the event’s logo.”

“After reviewing and voting on many options, we agreed on one design,” she said, noting that they are also putting final touches on the congress’ website which is going to have a portal for interested delegates and information about the event.

She added, “Participants will be required to register online through our portal. The registration fee has not yet been determined. But by early December, we expect to know the fee and what it will cover.”

The SIGNIS official said the 500 delegates expected to attend the World Congress in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali after a similar event in Seoul South Korea in 2022, “can look forward to a strong cultural experience.”

“We want the event to carry a true African touch—highlighting the richness and diversity of cultures across the continent. Rwandan culture will be showcased prominently, but we also hope to reflect the wider African cultural heritage,” Sr. Adelaide said.

She added that the delegates should also expect “a rich exchange of ideas from speakers coming from around the world. They will hear what different countries and continents are doing in communications.”

“Digital communication will be a central topic, and the insights from more technologically advanced regions will be important for us in Africa,” the Consulter of the DFC said, adding that delegates from other parts of the world would have an opportunity “to walk around, see the wildlife, and appreciate the beauty of God’s creation in Africa.”

She said, “Africa offers unique wildlife experiences, and it would be incomplete for someone coming all the way from countries like Korea or Japan to leave without seeing what they may only have read about in books.”