The Bishop of Buea, His Lordship Michael Bibi, will lead a five-member delegation from the Diocese of Buea to the first-ever African edition of the SIGNIS World Congress, scheduled to take place in Kigali, Rwanda, from August 3 to 8, 2026.
The historic global Catholic communication gathering, to be hosted at the Sainte Famille Hotel in Kigali, will bring together Catholic communicators, journalists, filmmakers, media professionals, and communication scholars from more than 100 countries.
The Diocese of Buea delegation will comprise three members of the Directorate of Communication and two members of Divine Mercy Radio and Television (DMRTV), reflecting the Diocese’s commitment to strengthening its communication apostolate and embracing new opportunities in the rapidly changing digital media landscape.
Rwanda was chosen to host this landmark edition of the SIGNIS World Congress as a recognition of the country’s growing influence in Africa’s digital transformation journey, its investment in technology and innovation, and its commitment to using communication as a tool for development, peace-building, and social harmony. The choice of Kigali also highlights Africa’s increasing role in shaping global conversations on responsible digital communication and emerging technologies. Its the first time the continent is hosting the conference
The conference will be held under the theme: “Digital Communication for Cultural Harmony and Environmental Wellbeing.”
The 2026 SIGNIS World Congress will focus on the ethical use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, exploring how emerging technologies can be harnessed to promote human dignity, dialogue, peace, and the common good.
The theme aligns with recent calls by Pope Leo XIV for technology, especially artificial intelligence, to remain centred on humanity and guided by ethical principles. The Holy Father has cautioned against the misuse of technology for domination, exclusion, or conflict, insisting that digital innovation must serve people and protect vulnerable communities.
Held every four years, the SIGNIS World Congress is one of the most important global gatherings for Catholic communication professionals. Previous editions were held in Seoul, South Korea (2022), Quebec City, Canada (2017), and Rome, Italy (2014).
Preparations for the Kigali Congress are already at an advanced stage, with organising teams working on reception, accommodation, transportation, and logistics to ensure a successful event for participants arriving from different parts of the world.
Cardinal Antoine Kambanda, President of the Rwandan Episcopal Conference, described the hosting of the Congress as an honour for the local Church in Rwanda and an opportunity to strengthen communication ministry across Africa.
Cardinal Antoine Kambanda, President of the Rwandan Episcopal Conference
The participation of the Diocese of Buea delegation in this global event is expected to provide valuable exposure, knowledge sharing, and new perspectives that will further enhance the Diocese’s communication services, particularly through digital evangelization, professional media production, and responsible engagement with emerging technologies.
Through the Directorate of Communication and Divine Mercy Radio and Television, the Diocese of Buea continues to use modern communication tools to spread the Gospel message, promote unity, and serve communities through reliable and impactful media platforms.
The SIGNIS World Congress is organised by SIGNIS, the World Catholic Association for Communication, which brings together professionals working in journalism, radio, television, film, digital media, and other communication fields to promote media that serves truth, justice, and human development.
