The 15th edition of the Ouagadougou African Universities of Communication (UACO) opened on October 7, 2026, at the University Joseph Ki-Zerbo in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The event, sponsored by Bassolma Bazié, brings together journalists, communicators, teachers, students, experts, and decision-makers to discuss the challenges of information and communication in Africa. The theme of this edition is "In a context of communication war, what attitudes and aptitudes for information and communication actors in Africa?"
According to the Executive President of UACO, Minister of Communication Gilbert Ouédraogo, the war is no longer limited to confrontations on the ground but also takes place in the media and digital spaces, where stories, images, speeches, and information can influence perceptions and behaviors. He emphasized that the theme is a continuation of previous reflections on communication in the context of war and that the security realities facing the countries of the Sahel region require considering communication as a real battlefield.
The President of UACO highlighted the need for professionals to question their position in this context of communication war, whether they are spectators, passive actors, or engaged actors. He also stressed the importance of working on attitudes and aptitudes, particularly in a rapidly evolving media landscape driven by digital technology and new professional practices. Journalists must continually update their knowledge and methods, mastering new approaches such as solution journalism and development journalism.
Prime Minister Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, representing the President of Faso, also emphasized the issue of informational sovereignty. He stated that Africa is facing a real battle of narratives, where the ability to produce, master, and disseminate its own information becomes a question of sovereignty. He encouraged African professionals to produce their own content, explain their realities, and tell their own stories, rather than relying on external perspectives.
The UACO 2026 will focus on two main axes of reflection and 35 communications selected by the scientific committee. The event also includes a forum for media from the Sahel Alliance and a competition to recognize and reward communication actors. The goal is to emerge with concrete recommendations and commitments to strengthen the capacities of professionals and contribute to the construction of a more sovereign, responsible, and better-equipped African and Sahelian media space.
Over three days, participants will discuss the challenges of communication war and explore new approaches to information and communication. The event aims to bring together academics, researchers, and professionals to share their perspectives and experiences. By the end of the event, organizers hope to have produced concrete recommendations and commitments to support the development of a more robust and independent African media.
The UACO 2026 is an important platform for discussing the challenges and opportunities of communication in Africa. The event provides a space for professionals, academics, and decision-makers to engage with the complexities of communication in a context of war and to explore new strategies and approaches. By focusing on the themes of attitude, aptitude, and sovereignty, the UACO 2026 aims to contribute to the development of a more robust and independent African media landscape.
Key points
- The UACO 2026 focuses on the challenges of communication in a context of war.
- The event aims to strengthen the capacities of professionals and contribute to the construction of a more sovereign African media space.
- The theme of the UACO 2026 is "In a context of communication war, what attitudes and aptitudes for information and communication actors in Africa?"
