Theme: “Africa in the G20: Advancing Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability”.
Sub Theme: “African agency in the G20: Media, Journalism, Digital Tech, and Communications”.
25-27 November 2025, Science Stadium, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Background and introduction
The partners of the Amplifying African Voices for Strategic Action (AFSA) are delighted to host the 2nd Annual AFSA conference on 25-27 November 2025. This conference is being held as part of the G20 Summit, hosted by the Republic of South Africa, a first on the African continent. To this end, a general call for abstracts and proposals has been previously issued, inviting individuals and organizations to submit proposals and abstracts for the themes of “conceptualizing African agency”, “geopolitics and global affairs”, and “communicating African agency”. Information relating to the previous generic call, is accessible on this link: https://www.africa-usforum.africa/conference/. The broad conference concept note is also available on this link.
Goals and aims
The goal is to identity means and ways through the media and cognate fields and practices can be used to analyze and elucidate the intricate relations between African nations and external powers in the G20.We aim to broaden the knowledge of scholars and practitioners to understand how the African media may be harnessed to amplify the African voices on the global stage. The sessions aim to contribute to an understanding of how African media may shape policy, academia, and practice on the global stage to offer African responses to the continent’s problems. Proposers should indicate in which of the following categories their submissions fall a) plenary sessions and keynote addresses – high-level presentations b) roundtable discussions – presentation of emerging ideas c) panel discussions – based on draft papers prepared specifically for the conference.
Abstract and proposal requirements.
Drawing on the general call for abstracts and proposals, and the conference concept note, the media, journalism, digital tech, and communications sub-theme seeks to focus on the aspects of amplifying African voices across critical African and global issues. We invite abstracts and proposals that explore the means and ways in which African perspectives may shape a more sustainable, inclusive, and equitable global future. The assessment will favour abstracts and proposals that are strong on the following points:
- Alignment with the overall conference theme, “Africa in the G20: Advancing Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability”.
- Draw on the concepts and practices from one or a combination of a) media, b) journalism, c) digital technologies, and d) communications more broadly.
- Approach the sub-theme from either scholarly, practitioner, policy, business or civil society perspectives or combinations that bridge gaps between these.
- Demonstrate the amplification of African voices within the G20 in one way or another.
- Centre aspects of media and African solidarity in engagements within the G20.
- Provide viewpoints on equality in Africa’s engagement with G20 countries.
- Provide forward-thinking knowledge on the sustainability of African media itself and the role of African media in promoting sustainability across economic, political, and cultural dynamics within the G20.
Questions and issues for proposals.
We ask scholars, practitioners, and civil society from diverse sectors and fields to consider the following issues when submitting abstracts and proposals. These should be considered broad suggestions and submissions may be on any other related issues and sectors.
Media and African agency
- What is African agency in the G20 from a media perspective
- How would a media-based African agency toward global media in the G20 powerslook like?
- What are some of the insights that media scholars and practitioners can offer on how the African media can play a central role in shaping the African voices in the globe?
- What is the status of the AU’s external engagement and communication units and how can they be made fit for purpose in communicating African interests in the G20?
- What is African agency toward global powers from a media and journalism perspective?
- What role should African media organizations, digital tech companies, governments, civil society organizations, conventional and citizen journalists play in framing issues and popularizing African views on the issue?
Narratives on Africa
- How can communication practitioners ensure that Africa emerges not just as a passive landscape where global narratives unfold but as an active and pivotal player?
- Which are the global media from the G20 countries with the powerto shape African narratives within and outside the continent?
- What are some of the pathways via which African media and journalism can be leveraged to frame issues from an African perspective and promote pro-Africa narratives?
- How are narratives about Africa being produced and reproduced in the digital era?
Digital technologies and AI
- Which strategies can be leveraged to bridge the digital divide on the continent to ensure the inclusion of African in the global digital ecology?
- Which policies and actions can help Africa adopt and adapt the current AI innovations as means of communications?
- How can African voices be enhanced in the global governance of digital technologies?
- How can stakeholders ensure that African media practitioners and citizens benefit from African generated versions of AI?
Media, geopolitics and diplomacy
- How should African media practitioners interpret and unpack geopolitical raptures with African lenses and for African audiences?
- How should journalists and commentators position Africa at continental, sub-regional, and countries in the increasingly unstable world?
- How can African countries ensure policies that protect them from the competition in the digital sphere by global powers, and secure control over their digital ecosystems?
- Which positions should African communicators take in terms of the alliances with either the global north or the global south?
- What are the key dynamics relevant to the role of the media in Africa’s interests in world affairs?
- What is the status of Africa’s voice and media in the international sphere?
- Which strategies can be used to advocate for equitable global agreements between African countries and global powers in the digital technology sphere?
Media, climate change and critical minerals
- How do we communicate climate change and critical minerals in a way understandable by ordinary people?
- How can voices be amplified to ensure that African interests in climate change and critical minerals are core?
Media, trade and economics
- How can economic, trade, and financial journalism and communication be leveraged to support enhanced intra-Africa trade?
- What are the media-based strategies that can be employed to stem the tide of illicit financial flows?
- Can journalists, media practitioners, and civil society play a role in seizing the withdrawal of foreign funding as an opportunity for African self-sufficiency?
Media, peace and security
- What role can peace and conflict journalism play in encouraging good governance as a bedrock of stability?
- Can cross border journalism and media practices be harnessed in resolving conflicts between African countries?
- How can media and communications be incorporated into conflict resolution and peacebuilding in the war-torn parts of Africa?
Submission Guidelines and Timelines
Interested participants are invited to submit an abstract of 300-500 words clearly outlining the research question, methodology, and anticipated findings. Participants may also propose panels and roundtables of three to four members. Participants also need to include their brief biography of 100 words. Deadline for Abstract or Proposal Submission: August 15, 2025. Notification of Acceptance: August 22, 2025. Submission of Draft Article (pre-conference): November 3, 2025. Full Chapter/article Submission: January 31, 2026. Please submit your abstract or panel proposal to
acsus.research@wits.ac.za with the subject line ‘AFSA 2025’.
