The East Africa broadcast media industry is preparing for a landmark gathering as the Broadcasters Convention – East Africa 2026 arrives in Nairobi from May 26–28, 2026. This premier international forum is co-convened by Broadcast Media Africa (BMA) and hosted by the Association of Professional Broadcasters (APB), bringing together a high-level assembly of broadcasters, digital publishers, advertisers, and technology pioneers to navigate the rapidly evolving media landscape.
A major highlight of the 2026 edition is the introduction of a dedicated Content Marketplace. This specialised platform is designed to facilitate the buying, selling, and co-production of African content, providing a vital bridge between regional creators and international distributors. By incorporating this marketplace, the convention aims to stimulate the creative economy and ensure that high-quality, local storytelling reaches audiences across DTT, OTT, and mobile platforms within the continent and globally.
Commenting on the strategic importance of this year’s gathering, Mr Benjamin Pius, CEO of Broadcast Media Africa, emphasised that the industry is at a crossroads where technology and storytelling must merge to ensure commercial viability. He noted that the 2026 convention is specifically designed to empower African broadcasters to take ownership of their digital future. By bringing together the brightest minds in the region, the event seeks to foster an environment where innovation is not just discussed but actively implemented through new partnerships and the groundbreaking Content Marketplace.
The program will delve deeply into the integration of Artificial Intelligence within the media value chain, exploring how AI-powered workflows are revolutionising newsrooms, content personalisation, and audience engagement. Industry experts will lead discussions on the future of advertising, focusing on how broadcasters and practitioners can collaborate to maximise revenue in an increasingly fragmented digital market. These sessions are designed to move beyond theory, offering practical roadmaps for media organisations to remain competitive and ethically sound in the age of automation.
Beyond technology, the convention serves as a critical policy forum, addressing digital governance, copyright protection, and regional media integration. By gathering the most influential voices in the industry, the event fosters an environment for strategic partnerships that will define broadcasting in East Africa over the next decade.
This three-day summit will feature executive-level keynotes and an industry showcase where technology providers will demonstrate the latest solutions in cloud broadcasting and data analytics.
To find out more, please visit the event here.
