The first edition of the International Media Fair of Africa (SIMA) has come to a close after four days of intensive work benefiting African media. The official closing ceremony took place on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at the Babacar Touré Press House in Dakar, under the chairmanship of the Gambian Minister of Information, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay; the Deputy Director of Communication, Mr. Mamadou Moustapha Diouf; and the Vice Minister of Communication of Liberia, Mr. Daniel Oti Sando.

Towards the establishment of an African Pact for Press Freedom

The first edition of the International Media Fair of Africa (SIMA) has come to a close. It was a rich experience, filled with exchanges, meetings, and innovative ideas, bringing together more than 20 African countries and international partners in a spirit of fraternity, solidarity, and innovation. The event took place at three venues: the Daniel Sorano Theatre for the opening ceremony, the Fleur de Lys Hotel for the Masterclasses, and the Babacar Touré Press House for the panels and exhibition booths.

The regional conference on the right to information in the Sahel was central to half of the themes of the 12 scheduled panels. The other topics addressed media economics, editorial sovereignty, regulation, women in the media, the sanctity of facts, and the African narrative. These themes were led by high-level panelists from Senegal, Africa, and Europe. They all shared their extensive experience with attentive, engaged, and active participants. Thus, after four days of work, this inaugural edition paved the way for building together a dynamic, innovative, ethical, and sovereign African media ecosystem. Indeed, they examined the outlines of an African Pact for Press Freedom.

In this regard, the coordinator of the SIMA Steering Committee argued that this meeting aims to become an essential continental event for the transformation and modernization of African media.

3,500 people attended the 14 panels that were held.

According to Mr. Adama Sow, Vice-Coordinator of SIMA, who headed the scientific committee, this first edition saw nearly 700 guests at the opening ceremony, 250 people participated in each panel, and 3,500 people attended the 14 panels held over three days, including two Masterclasses. Among these 3,500 participants, 75 contributions and questions were recorded, representing an 80% participation rate.

Mr. Sow also reports that these two Masterclasses have given rise to a new African series which will be produced under the auspices of SIMA very soon.

"These four days of fruitful and constructive discussions will provide solid foundations to support the African press in its present and future challenges."

The Director General of the Press House, Babacar Touré, for his part, maintained that these four days of fruitful and constructive exchanges would constitute solid pillars to support the African press in its present and future challenges. "It is with deep emotion and great pride that I address you at the close of this International Media Fair of Africa, which, for its first year, has paid tribute to the vitality, creativity, and dynamism of the African press. These days have been rich in exchanges, meetings, and innovative ideas, bringing together more than 20 African countries and international partners in a spirit of fraternity, solidarity, and innovation," emphasized Mr. Sambou Biagui. He then commended the "unwavering commitment" of all those who contributed to the success of this first edition.

According to him, this first edition also provided an opportunity to highlight numerous prospects for the development of the African press. “Digital transformation, ethics, journalist safety, media diversification—these were all topics at the heart of the debates and panels. I am convinced that these rich and constructive exchanges will constitute solid pillars to support the African press in its current and future challenges. We have taken an important step in strengthening our ties and increasing the visibility of our media on an African and international scale. These meetings symbolize our shared commitment to making the African press an essential driver of development, democracy, and social progress,” added Mr. Biagui, who invited participants to return in 2026 to continue this ambitious momentum initiated by the first edition.

Finally, the Director General of the House of the Press, Babacar Touré, made a solemn appeal for this SIMA to become "a beacon, a catalyst, for the rebirth and rebirth of the African press in the service of truth for Africa, freedom for Africa and the sustainable development of our continent".

It is worth recalling that this first edition of SIMA opened on Monday in Dakar, under the theme: "Africa Facing New Media Challenges." It was organized by the Babacar Touré Press House of Senegal, under the auspices of the Ministry of Communication, Telecommunications, and Digital Affairs. The official opening ceremony was presided over by the Minister of Communication, Telecommunications, and Digital Affairs of Senegal, Mr. Alioune Sall, in the presence of the Minister of Information of The Gambia, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay; the Minister of Culture, Arts, Communication, and Relations with Parliament of Mauritania, Mr. El Houssein Ould Medou; the Deputy Minister of Communication of Liberia, Mr. Daniel O. Sando; the Secretary General of the Ministry of Communication of Chad, Mr. Mahamath Nour; the Secretary General of Reporters Without Borders, Mr. Thibaut Bruttin; and others.

This first edition, which had Mali as its guest country of honor, also hosted the Regional Conference on the Right to Information in the Sahel (CREDI-SAHEL) initiated by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).