Addis Ababa is getting ready to host the IGAD Media Awards from 29–30 November 2025, and excitement is building. This year’s edition is poised to be a powerful gathering of storytellers, innovators, and climate champions from across the Horn of Africa.
Celebrating Climate Storytelling at the IGAD Media Awards
IGAD Media Awards return with a very timely theme: “Storytelling for Climate Action: For a Secure, Resilient and Stable Region.” It is more than just a slogan; this has turned into a reminder of how crucial storytelling became in a region which still feels the burden of climate change day by day.
From droughts that shape livelihoods anew to floods that wreak havoc on whole communities, journalists in the Horn of Africa are capturing realities lived through in silence by many.
The IGAD Media Awards seek to amplify those voices-print, radio, TV, digital platforms, and photography-recognizing the courage, creativity, and commitment behind their work.
This year’s categories reflect the diversity of the media landscape within the region, from Indigenous Language Reporting to Best Female Journalist on Climate Issues, to Influencer of the Year, right up to the highly respected Lifetime Achievement Award. The IGAD Media Awards will help open doors for storytellers at every stage of their journey.
A jury team comprising 21 expert media professionals from IGAD member states is reviewing the entries. The team’s role is not limited to just scoring entries; they are part of shaping a new crop of climate-conscious journalists who present works that are founded on ethics, impact, and depth.
Winners will not only receive trophies but also access IGAD training sessions, workshops, and forums exclusively aimed at strengthening their craft and expanding their reach.
It also hosts the Voices for Climate Action Knowledge Share Fair, an event where policymakers, journalists, innovators, and partners come to exchange experiences and ideas. It’s a rare opportunity for regional collaboration that could catalyze new climate solutions and storytelling approaches.
Partners such as Pulse of Africa and Exim Bank, organizations committed to championing authentic African stories and supporting regional development, strengthen this year’s edition.
Their involvement adds a new layer of momentum to an event already shaping up as one of the most impactful media events in the region. From Djibouti in 2023 to Kenya in 2024, it is now Ethiopia’s turn to host the 2025 IGAD Media Awards.
The countdown has begun, with all eyes fixed on Addis Ababa to celebrate stories of resilience, hope, and those that bring the region closer to a secure and climate-sensible future.
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