Kigali, Rwanda: Africa is set to take center stage in global Catholic communications as Rwanda prepares to host the SIGNIS World Congress 2026, a landmark gathering of Catholic media practitioners from across the world. The event, scheduled for August 3–8, 2026, will mark the first time the global Catholic communications body entrusts Africa with hosting responsibilities.
Fr. Prof. Walter Chikwendu Ihejirika, President of SIGNIS Africa, announced the development following the SECAM Plenary Assembly of African Bishops held recently in Kigali. He said the Bishops had warmly welcomed the initiative and assured the full support of the Church on the continent.
“We are grateful to SIGNIS World for entrusting Africa with this responsibility. It will be a historic congress, and participants can look forward to a uniquely African experience. Africa is ready for this task,” Fr. Walter said.
Because SIGNIS functions as a Catholic association recognized by the Vatican, its leaders sought the guidance and blessings of Africa’s Bishops before finalizing the congress announcement. Fr. Walter explained that SIGNIS Africa works closely with SECAM (Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar) through the Episcopal Commission for Communication, CEPACS.
During the SECAM Assembly, bishops were formally briefed on the upcoming congress, with the presence of the SIGNIS World President and Secretary-General underscoring the significance of the event. “This was more than a courtesy visit; it was a way of affirming that this congress is deeply tied to the Church’s mission of communication and evangelization,” Fr. Walter noted.
The Kigali congress will be open to Catholic communicators worldwide, including journalists, broadcasters, filmmakers, and digital media specialists. SIGNIS members from every continent are expected, alongside Church leaders from the Vatican, African dioceses, and Rwanda itself.
Beyond the Catholic community, the event will welcome communicators from other Christian denominations and social actors who share SIGNIS’s values particularly the commitment to peace, reconciliation, cultural harmony, and care for the environment.
The chosen theme “Digital Communication for Communion, Equity, and Environmental Well-being” reflects the Church’s mission to use modern media not only for evangelization but also for social transformation.
Every four years, SIGNIS delegates elect their global leadership. Kigali 2026 will thus serve a dual purpose: offering participants a rich space for networking, knowledge exchange, and cultural immersion, while also ushering in a new leadership team for the global Catholic media body.
Fr. Walter emphasized that the gathering will be more than a conference: “It is a chance to renew our vision, strengthen our network, and remind the world that Catholic communication is about hope, justice, and dialogue in a digital age.”
Organizing a global event of this scale is no small feat. Fr. Walter made a strong appeal for partnerships from bishops, donor agencies, church organizations, and media partners to ensure the success of the congress.
“With God’s grace, and with the collaboration of our partners, this event will not only be successful but will also change how many people perceive Africa. We are confident that participants will discover a continent far richer and warmer than the negative stereotypes often portrayed,” he said.
The choice of Kigali as host city carries symbolic weight. Rwanda, a nation that has transformed itself from the tragedy of genocide to a beacon of resilience and growth, will now become the focal point of global Catholic media.
For many attendees, it will be their first time in Africa. Organizers have promised an “unforgettable immersion into African culture,” showcasing the continent’s vibrancy, hospitality, and capacity to lead in global conversations.
As the countdown begins, Kigali 2026 is already shaping up to be a milestone in Catholic communication history a moment when Africa steps into the spotlight to help shape the Church’s message in the digital era.