FIPP World Media Congress to be held in Africa for the first time

The FIPP World Media Congress has a new home. After two hugely successful instalments in Madrid, it was announced today that FIPP’s marquee event will be held in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2027.

Organised in partnership with leading South African media company Media24, it marks the first time the African continent will host the FIPP Congress, which will take place the week of 18 October next year.

Frequently voted the most beautiful city in the world in travel polls, Cape Town offers a mix of staggering natural splendour – including iconic Table Mountain and a coastline dotted with beaches – a vibrant atmosphere and powerful historical sites like Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned.

It is against this compelling backdrop that media leaders from across Africa and the rest of the world will assemble at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) for three days of networking and talks.

“I am absolutely thrilled that FIPP Congress will be held for the first time ever in Africa next year,” said FIPP Managing Director Alastair Lewis.

“It has been a priority of ours to ensure that FIPP extends its influence beyond Europe and North America and into the global south, so to be in Cape Town in 2027 is a hugely important milestone. Our partnership with Media24 is also a fitting way to welcome CEO Minette Ferreira as the new Chair of the FIPP Advisory Board.

“FIPP Congress 2027 will bring together media leaders from across continents to Africa for the first time and will open the door to new conversations, new networks and new growth for both existing and prospective WAN-IFRA members and delegates – we can’t wait to welcome you there in October 2027.”

Media24 CEO Minette Ferreira added: “We’re honoured to welcome the global media community to Cape Town in 2027. South Africa has a vibrant, hard-won democratic story – and our media industry has been central to writing it.

“At a time when trust, relevance and resilience are being tested everywhere, there’s real value in gathering in a country where press freedom was fought for, not simply inherited. This congress will be an important moment for magazine, special-interest, news and digital media leaders to exchange ideas on the future of publishing.

“Media24 has spent more than a century adapting, innovating and serving audiences through every shift. We’re excited to share what we’ve learned, to learn from others, and to host this congress in a city that is as dynamic and creative as the future of media needs to be.”

Yulia Petrossian Boyle, FIPP Chair and Founder & Principal, YPB Global, also welcomed the FIPP Congress travelling to Africa for the first time.

“In October 2027, Cape Town becomes the nexus of our accelerated engagement across the African continent where some of the fastest-moving media markets are today,” she said.

“Nigeria’s media market is growing at nearly twice the pace of America’s, and 98% of its internet users are on WhatsApp – a distribution channel most publishers have barely begun to use. Kenya’s internet advertising is growing faster than anywhere on earth. And Cape Town Congress is not one-off destination for us.

“We are deepening relationships already under way, and inviting our members to be part of them going forward.”