Second roundtable on democracy, media and socialisation in Africa convened

The African Union (AU), in partnership with International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) and with support from the European Union-funded Strengthening Pan-African Capacities for Electoral Observation and Assistance (SPEC) Project, convened the Second Roundtable on Democracy, Media and Socialisation in Africa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 26–27 October 2026. 

The roundtable brought together participants from the AU, International IDEA, Electoral Management Bodies, media organisations, academia, civil society, and youth and women’s networks, to discuss the role of media and communication in shaping democratic socialisation across the continent.

Building on the outcomes of the inaugural Roundtable held in Nairobi in 2025, the second edition focused on strengthening collaboration between media actors, electoral institutions and other stakeholders to promote access to reliable information, strengthen public trust and foster inclusive participation.

In his opening remarks, H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, emphasised the importance of translating dialogue into practical action. “The ultimate measure of our success will not be the quality of our discussions alone. It will be our ability to translate ideas into actions; commitments into partnerships; and recommendations into sustained interventions that positively influence the democratic experiences of African citizens,” he said.

The discussions explored key challenges and opportunities shaping Africa’s media and information environment, including the implications of artificial intelligence for journalism, disinformation, information integrity, media literacy, journalist safety and online harassment. Participants called for stronger cooperation between media organisations and Electoral Management Bodies, and for deliberate measures to ensure that women, young people and persons with disabilities can participate meaningfully in public discourse.

A recurring theme was the role of communication in helping citizens understand public issues, access credible information and engage constructively with institutions. Participants stressed the need for approaches that reflect African contexts and realities, particularly as digital technologies continue to reshape how information is produced, shared and consumed.

Looking ahead to the 2026–2027 electoral cycle, the roundtable highlighted the opportunity to advance democratic socialisation through coordinated communication, civic education and information integrity initiatives. Participants worked towards an Action Roadmap to guide the implementation of key recommendations and sustain continued collaboration in the lead-up to the 2027 Roundtable.

The African Union reaffirmed its commitment to promoting democratic governance, information integrity and inclusive participation across the continent, in line with Agenda 2063. The meeting offered a valuable platform for stakeholders to identify shared priorities and strengthen partnerships capable of turning discussion into sustained action.

Through its partnership with the African Union and support through the EU-funded SPEC Project, International IDEA continues to contribute to regional efforts to strengthen electoral processes, build institutional capacities and support knowledge-sharing among electoral stakeholders across Africa. The outcomes of the Roundtable are expected  to sustain engagement among media, electoral institutions and civic actors, with a focus on practical cooperation and implementation in the lead-up to the 2027 gathering. In doing so, the Roundtable seeks to strengthen democratic socialisation by fostering shared democratic values, informed citizen participation and a culture of accountability, tolerance and peaceful political engagement.