A Pan-Afrikan Storytelling Movement

Afrotellers
Conference 2026

Narrative Sovereignty in the Age of AI and Shifting Global Power

28–31 October 2026 Mombasa, Kenya 200+ Delegates · Afrika & the Diaspora

Join storytellers, activists, researchers, media practitioners, policymakers, and cultural leaders from across Afrika and the diaspora as we confront the future of Afrikan narratives in a rapidly changing world.

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Movement Partners

Wits School of Arts — Cultural Policy and Management TrustAfrica Province of the Eastern Cape — Sport, Recreation, Arts & Culture The Market Theatre Foundation Hlangani SA Community Fund Southern Africa Trust Accountability Lab Ubuntu Communications Advisory Magamba Network InspireX City Lodge Hotel African Youth Philanthropy Network Wits School of Arts — Cultural Policy and Management TrustAfrica Province of the Eastern Cape — Sport, Recreation, Arts & Culture The Market Theatre Foundation Hlangani SA Community Fund Southern Africa Trust Accountability Lab Ubuntu Communications Advisory Magamba Network InspireX City Lodge Hotel African Youth Philanthropy Network
The Conference

Narrative Sovereignty in the Age of AI and Shifting Global Power

Artificial intelligence is rewriting the rules of content creation. Global power is shifting. Information warfare is intensifying. The question is no longer whether Afrika has stories to tell — but whether Afrikan storytellers have the resources, sovereignty, infrastructure, and power to tell them on their own terms.

A delegate at the microphone with her arm raised as the room recites the Afrotellers Creed at the 2025 conference

Afrotellers Conference 2025, Our Stories. Our Voices. Our Power. — the movement gathers again in Mombasa this October.

  • A continental gathering of 200+ storytellers, activists, researchers, policymakers, and funders from across Afrika and the diaspora.
  • Policy & practice dialogues with national government, EAC, and African Union actors.
  • Paper presentations & a storytelling works showcase — a first-ever academic track plus a curated exhibition and screening programme.
  • The Mombasa heritage journey — Old Town, Fort Jesus, and a dhow sunset cruise on the Indian Ocean.
Conference Sub-themes

Three tracks. One conversation about power.

01

AI, Algorithmic Colonialism & Narrative Futures

Who writes the code and owns the platforms that carry our stories? Interrogating algorithmic colonialism, Afrikan language representation in AI, synthetic media and information warfare, and the tools Afrikan storytellers are building and reclaiming.

02

From Practice to Policy and Policy to Practice

Narratives shape policy, and policy shapes what narratives are possible. Direct dialogue with government, the East African Community, and the African Union on what a continental policy framework for narrative sovereignty could look like — and who needs to build it.

03

Cultural Economy & Sustainability of Afrikan Narratives

Narrative sovereignty cannot be built on borrowed money and borrowed platforms. The economic and institutional architecture that determines whether Afrikan storytelling can fund and sustain itself — on its own terms.

Open Calls

Bring your work to Mombasa.

The deadline for both calls has been extended to 19 July 2026. Submit your paper or storytelling work to be part of the programme.

Deadline · 19 July 2026

Call for Papers

A first-ever academic track. We invite researchers, scholars, and practitioners to present papers engaging the three sub-themes — from algorithmic colonialism to narrative policy and the cultural economy.

Submit a Paper
Deadline · 19 July 2026

Call for Storytelling Works

A curated exhibition and screening programme. We welcome film, photography, audio, digital, and multimedia works that document Afrikan realities and imagine Afrikan futures.

Submit a Work
Registration & Tickets

Secure your place.

Pricing runs in three phases — the earlier you register, the less you pay. Early Bird rates below are open until 15 August 2026. All prices in USD, per person, and include full conference access, sessions, meals, materials, and networking.

Standard Pass

The full conference experience, open to all delegates — every session, panel, workshop, keynote, exhibition and networking space.

$300 Early Bird

Local Creative Pass

A 50% rate for local and regional creatives — storytellers, artists, journalists, filmmakers and cultural workers. Valid creative ID or portfolio required. Limited allocation.

$150 Early Bird

Student / Youth Pass

A reduced rate for full-time students and young people under 25. Valid student ID or proof of age required. Limited allocation.

$150 Early Bird

Group Pass / person, 3+

A per-person rate for organisations, teams or collectives registering three or more delegates together — ideal for newsrooms, NGOs and creative studios.

$255 Early Bird · per person

Virtual / Online Pass

Livestream access to keynotes and main-stage sessions for those who cannot travel, plus digital materials and selected recordings. Excludes meals and in-person networking.

$75 Early Bird

Residential Pass

Everything in the Standard Pass plus 5 nights' accommodation (check-in 27 Oct, check-out 1 Nov) — a single, all-in booking. Accommodation held flat at $155/night across all phases.

$1,075 Early Bird · all-in

Accommodation can be added to any in-person pass at $155 per person, per night (5-night conference block, 27–31 Oct: $775). Local Creative, Student/Youth and Group passes require valid supporting documentation at registration.

Two ways to register

Pay online instantly by card, or request an invoice for bank transfer. Either way, you're in.