African Road Safety Reporting Forum 2026: Fully Funded Opportunity for African Journalists, Editors, and Media Influencers to Attend a Three-Day Forum in Abuja, Nigeria

The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), through its Health Reporting Project, has officially opened applications for the African Road Safety Reporting Forum 2026, a fully funded three-day in-person forum that will bring together journalists, editors, and media influencers from across Africa to strengthen road safety journalism and improve how road traffic crashes are reported across the continent.

This unique forum seeks to transform road safety reporting by equipping media professionals with practical skills, technical knowledge, and collaborative opportunities to produce impactful stories that focus on accountability, prevention, and evidence-based solutions rather than simply reporting road crashes as isolated incidents.

The forum will be held in Abuja, Nigeria, in September 2026, bringing together 15 carefully selected media professionals who will work alongside experts from the World Health Organization (WHO), leading African editors, and experienced journalists to develop industry-standard editorial guidelines for road safety reporting across Africa.

If you are passionate about public health reporting, investigative journalism, development journalism, or road safety advocacy, this is an excellent opportunity to expand your professional skills while contributing to safer roads across Africa.

About the African Road Safety Reporting Forum

Road traffic crashes remain one of the world’s most pressing public health challenges.

Globally, road crashes are the leading cause of death among children and young people between the ages of 5 and 29 years. Even more concerning, road traffic deaths continue to rise more rapidly in Africa than in any other region of the world.

Despite the enormous impact of road crashes, media reporting often fails to reflect the true scale of the crisis.

Many news reports portray crashes as unfortunate accidents that simply happen, rather than highlighting the preventable systemic issues behind them, including:

• Poor road infrastructure
• Weak enforcement of road safety laws
• Policy failures
• Inadequate governance
• Unsafe transport systems
• Lack of accountability

In addition, media coverage frequently focuses on blaming individual road users while overlooking broader structural causes that contribute to road traffic injuries and fatalities.

The African Road Safety Reporting Forum aims to change this narrative by helping journalists produce stories that encourage policy reforms, accountability, and sustainable road safety solutions.

Objectives of the Forum

Participants will work together to:

• Develop industry-standard editorial guidelines for road safety reporting in Africa.
• Improve the quality and impact of road safety journalism.
• Produce compelling road safety stories using newly developed reporting approaches.
• Promote solutions-focused journalism.
• Encourage accountability-driven reporting.
• Strengthen collaboration among African media professionals working on public health and transport issues.
• Build a continent-wide network of journalists committed to improving road safety coverage.

Who Should Apply?

The forum is designed for professionals working within Africa’s media landscape who are interested in improving public health and road safety reporting.

Applicants should be:

• Journalists
• Editors
• Media influencers

Applicants must also demonstrate a strong interest in:

• Public health journalism
• Road safety reporting
• Accountability journalism
• Development reporting
• Investigative reporting

Although the forum particularly seeks participants from Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Ethiopia, and South Africa, applications from other African countries are also welcomed.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

• Be based in Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Ethiopia, South Africa, or another African country.
• Be an editor, journalist, or media influencer.
• Demonstrate an interest in public health or road safety reporting.
• Be available to attend the three-day physical forum in September 2026.
• Be willing to develop and publish a road safety story following the forum.
• Be willing to participate in an online working group that will continue developing African road safety reporting guidelines.

Benefits of the African Road Safety Reporting Forum

Successful applicants will receive several valuable benefits, including:

1. Practical Professional Training

Participants will receive hands-on training in:

• Solutions-focused journalism
• Accountability reporting
• Effective road safety reporting
• Public health communication

2. Access to Leading Experts

Participants will interact directly with:

• WHO technical experts
• Leading African editors
• Experienced journalists
• Road safety professionals

3. Influence Future Journalism Standards

Participants will contribute to creating editorial guidelines that may influence road safety reporting across Africa.

4. Produce High-Impact Stories

Participants will develop and publish road safety stories that reflect the newly developed editorial standards.

5. Fully Funded Participation

Selected participants will receive:

• Full travel support
• Accommodation
• Daily stipend throughout the forum

Why This Forum Matters

Media plays a powerful role in shaping public understanding and influencing policy decisions.

By improving how road traffic crashes are reported, journalists can help:

• Raise public awareness
• Encourage stronger government accountability
• Promote evidence-based road safety policies
• Influence positive behavioural change
• Reduce preventable road deaths across Africa

This forum therefore represents not only a professional development opportunity but also a chance to contribute to meaningful public health improvements across the continent.

Application Deadline

Deadline: 10 July 2026

Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications before the deadline.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, and successful applicants will receive notification via email.

Final Thoughts

The African Road Safety Reporting Forum 2026 offers an outstanding opportunity for African journalists, editors, and media influencers to improve their reporting skills while contributing to a safer future for millions of road users across Africa.

Through expert-led training, collaboration with leading media professionals, and the development of continent-wide editorial standards, participants will play a significant role in transforming road safety journalism from reactive reporting into impactful storytelling that promotes accountability and lasting policy change.

Interested applicants should prepare their submissions early and ensure they meet all eligibility requirements before the application deadline of 10 July 2026.

Apply here 

 

Learn More

• For more information about this opportunity, Click here

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