His Lordship Michael Bibi, Bishop of Buea, will lead a five-member delegation from the Diocese of Buea to the first-ever African edition of the SIGNIS World Congress, taking place in Kigali, Rwanda, from August 3 to 8, 2026.
Hosted at the Sainte Famille Hotel, this historic global Catholic communication gathering will assemble journalists, filmmakers, and media scholars from over 100 countries. The Buea delegation—comprising representatives from the Directorate of Communication and Divine Mercy Radio and Television – DMRTV—underscores the diocese’s dedication to expanding its digital evangelization footprint and embracing modern media technologies.
Rwanda was selected as the host nation in recognition of its leadership in Africa’s digital transformation, technological innovation, and commitment to using communication for peacebuilding. This landmark event marks the first time the global conference is hosted on the African continent, following previous congresses in Seoul (2022), Quebec City (2017), and Rome (2014).
Organised by SIGNIS, the World Catholic Association for Communication, the quadrennial assembly provides a global platform to promote media strategies centered on truth, justice, and human development.
The 2026 congress will convene under the theme “Digital Communication for Cultural Harmony and Environmental Wellbeing.” Deliberations will center heavily on the ethical deployment of digital tools and artificial intelligence, seeking strategies to ensure emerging technologies foster dialogue, respect human dignity, and protect vulnerable communities. This focus echoes recent apostolic directives emphasizing that technological innovation must remain human-centered rather than becoming a source of social division or exclusion.
Cardinal Antoine Kambanda, President of the Rwandan Episcopal Conference, hailed the event as a monumental honor for the local Church and a vital opportunity to bolster communication ministries across Africa. Local organizing committees in Kigali are finalizing logistics, reception, and transportation to welcome hundreds of international delegates. The congress aims to deepen continental contributions to global discussions on responsible technology governance and peace-oriented media production.
For the Diocese of Buea, participating in this international summit offers significant opportunities for knowledge sharing, professional production enhancement, and strategic media development. By acquiring fresh perspectives on digital evangelization and media ethics, the diocese aims to further strengthen its outreach through DMRTV and its communication directorate.
Ultimately, the gathering will help Catholic communicators across the region leverage modern digital platforms to build peace, serve their communities, and spread the Gospel effectively.
