Kampala, Olyotya! 🇺🇬 The #IGADMediaAwards2026 are here! Our jurors are finalising their work, and anticipation for the big reveal is building. Get ready for two days of bold conversations, powerful connections and unforgettable stories as all roads lead to Kampala on 19–20 November. To participate, register now at: mediaawards.igad.int

📸 Capturing stories through the lens! Meet Andrew Kasuku, winner of the Photography Category at the IGAD Media Awards 2025, as he reflects on his experience and the impact of this recognition on his photography journey. His achievement celebrates the power of visual storytelling to document realities, amplify community voices and bring the stories of our region to life. 🇺🇬 Kampala is calling! Join us on 19–20 November 2026 as we celebrate another generation of exceptional storytellers. 🌍 mediaawards.igad.int #IGADMediaAwards2026 #RisingWithIGAD #OneRegionOneFuture

🌊 One Maritime Region. Shared Interests. Collective Action IGAD is strengthening regional cohesion, coordination and cooperation through its Taskforce on the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. By bringing Member States together around shared maritime interests, the Taskforce supports stronger regional approaches to the challenges and opportunities shaping this vital strategic corridor. Stronger coordination today. A more secure, connected and prosperous maritime region tomorrow. 🔗 Read more: igad.int/advancing-regional-… #RisingWithIGAD #OneRegionOneFuture #RedSea #GulfOfAden #MaritimeSecurity #RegionalCooperation

From Knowledge to Stories: Day 2 of the FSRP Media and Influencer Training The #IGAD Media and Influencer Training on DACAS and the IGAD Fertilizer and Soil Health Hub continued today in Nairobi, 🇰🇪 Participants explored how journalism and influencer content can shape public debate and support accountability, alongside best practices in verification, credible sourcing and clear communication. Working in groups, they then began producing their own content on soil health and climate advisory services. Through these efforts, IGAD is building a regional community of communicators for food systems resilience. #FSRP #RisingWithIGAD #OneRegionOneFuture

🎙️ Stories that bring communities closer! Meet Steve Mokaya, winner of the Radio Category at the IGAD Media Awards 2025, as he reflects on his experience and the impact of this recognition on his journalism journey. His achievement highlights the power of radio to amplify community voices, share vital information and connect audiences across our region. 🇺🇬 Kampala is calling! Join us on 19–20 November 2026 as we celebrate another generation of exceptional storytellers. 🌍 mediaawards.igad.int #IGADMediaAwards2026 #RisingWithIGAD #OneRegionOneFuture

🏠 From Protection to Prosperity Safety can save a life. Opportunity can transform it. For refugees and displaced families, a secure future means more than protection. It means access to education, decent work, essential services and the chance to achieve economic independence. Across the region, IGAD is working with Member States and partners to expand these opportunities, strengthen livelihoods and support refugees and host communities on the path towards self-reliance and prosperity. Because displacement should never define anyone’s future. 🔗 Explore IGAD’s Strategic Plan 2026–2030: igad.int/download/strategic-… #RisingWithIGAD #OneRegionOneFuture #Refugees #HSD

Strengthening Media Partnerships for Resilient Food Systems #IGAD, through the Food Systems Resilience Program (#FSRP), today opened a three-day Media and Influencer Training on Digital Agro-Climate Advisory Services (DACAS) and the IGAD Fertilizer and Soil Health Hub, taking place from 26–28 October 2026 in Nairobi, 🇰🇪. The training brings together journalists, digital content creators and IGAD Focal Persons from Ministries of Foreign Affairs of IGAD Member States to strengthen their capacity to report accurately and compellingly on soil health, climate advisory services and the CAADP Kampala Declaration (2026–2035). Speaking on behalf of the Chief of Staff, Mr. @AustinOpata, Head of the IGAD Communication Unit, noted: “Through your reporting, creativity and relationships with audiences, you influence which issues receive attention, whose perspectives are heard and how complex developments are understood.” Through these initiatives, IGAD is promoting informed public engagement, climate resilience and food security across the region. #RisingWithIGAD #OneRegionOneFuture

📰 Stories that inform, inspire and make an impact! Meet Ambrose Okwanga, winner of the Print Category at the IGAD Media Awards 2025, as he reflects on his experience and the impact of this recognition on his journalism journey. His achievement underscores the role of print journalism in uncovering compelling stories, amplifying community voices and shaping public understanding across our region. 🇺🇬 Kampala is calling! Join us on 19–20 November 2026 as we celebrate another generation of exceptional storytellers. 🌍 mediaawards.igad.int #IGADMediaAwards2026 #RisingWithIGAD #OneRegionOneFuture

🌍 Connecting Our Region, Expanding Opportunities Better roads, reliable energy and stronger digital connections can help businesses reach new markets and communities access essential services across borders. Through the IGAD Regional Infrastructure Master Plan (IRIMP), IGAD provides a shared framework for Member States and development partners to guide investment in transport, energy, ICT and transboundary water resources. By coordinating infrastructure priorities across countries, the plan aims to strengthen regional links, ease barriers to trade and support economic growth. For people across the region, better connectivity can mean more jobs, stronger businesses and easier access to markets, including for women trading across borders. 🔗 Learn more: igad.int/igad-regional-infra… #RisingWithIGAD #OneRegionOneFuture #IGADInfrastructure

📰 Stories that inform, inspire and drive change! Meet Maryann Muganda, winner of the Print Category at the IGAD Media Awards 2025, as she reflects on her experience and the impact of this recognition on her journalism journey. Her achievement highlights the power of print journalism to uncover important stories, amplify community voices and deepen public understanding of issues shaping our region. 🇺🇬 Kampala is calling! Join us on 19–20 November 2026 as we celebrate another generation of exceptional storytellers. 🌍 mediaawards.igad.int #IGADMediaAwards2026 #RisingWithIGAD #OneRegionOneFuture

🌱 Advancing Resilient and Inclusive Food Systems Across the IGAD Region. #IGAD successfully concluded the Regional Meeting on the IGAD Digital Agro Climate Advisory Services (DACAS) Knowledge Network and Validation of Regional and Country Gender Profiles in Food Systems, held in Arba Minch, Ethiopia, from 21–24 October 2026. Discussions highlighted opportunities to scale up the DACAS Knowledge Network, improve access to actionable climate and agricultural information, and strengthen the evidence base for more inclusive policies and interventions. Through these efforts, IGAD continues to advance regional collaboration towards more resilient, inclusive and sustainable food systems. 🔗 Read the full story: igad.int/igad-advances-regio… @WorldBankGroup #RisingWithIGAD #OneRegionOneFuture #FSRP #AED

Advancing Regional Digital Integration in Africa #IGAD participated in the Smart Africa–CRASA Workshop on implementing SADC sub-regional roaming agreements for the One Africa Network (OAN), held from 20–22 October 2026 in Gaborone, #Botswana. IGAD was represented by Daniel Deng Malok (PhD) from the Economic Cooperation and Regional Integration Division (ECRID). The workshop brought together representatives from Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and the Africa Telecommunications Union (ATU) to exchange experiences and explore pathways towards a unified African roaming framework. As part of these efforts, IGAD is planning a feasibility study in early 2027 under the World Bank-supported Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP) to explore regional mobile roaming across the IGAD region. Through these initiatives, IGAD is promoting regional cooperation, digital integration and seamless connectivity across Africa. #RisingWithIGAD #OneRegionOneFuture

🌱 Strengthening Gender Evidence for Inclusive Food Systems. #IGAD commenced a two-day regional workshop in Arba Minch, Ethiopia, to validate the Regional and Country Gender Profiles in Food Systems. “Women are the backbone of agricultural production, food processing, and household food security across Eastern Africa. However, structural gaps in access to land, finance, climate advisories, and technology continue to limit their full potential.” Dr. Senait Regasa, IGAD Food Systems Programme Coordinator, speaking on behalf of Mr. Daher Elmi, Director of Agriculture and Environment, highlighted the importance of addressing gender gaps. The workshop brings together relevant stakeholders to review the profiles, examine gender gaps and incorporate country-specific perspectives to strengthen the evidence base for gender-responsive food systems policies, strategies and interventions across the IGAD region. #RisingWithIGAD #OneRegionOneFuture #FSRP

🌱 Advancing Digital Agro-Climate Advisory Services Across the IGAD Region. #IGAD concluded a two-day regional meeting in Arba Minch, Ethiopia, from 21–22 October, focusing on creating awareness of the IGAD Digital Agro Climate Advisory Services (DACAS) Knowledge Network. The meeting highlighted opportunities to scale up digital agricultural advisory services and identified recommendations to strengthen regional and national coordination, improve data quality and interoperability, and build the capacity of technical staff and agricultural extension workers. @WorldBankGroup #RisingWithIGAD #OneRegionOneFuture #FSRP #AED

Representing IGAD Executive Secretary H.E. @DrWorkneh, Deputy Executive Secretary H.E. @MAWareSO participated in the panel on Peace, Security & Transnational Solidarity at the @GTSummit2026 in Nairobi. He stressed that building trust requires sustained dialogue and practical cooperation across borders to prevent conflict, respond to shared crises and strengthen the region’s voice in global negotiations. #RisingWithIGAD #OneRegionOneFuture

⚡ One Grid. One Region. One Future Powered Together. Electricity doesn't stop at a border — and in the IGAD region, it shouldn't have to. ✅ Cross-border transmission lines connecting Member States
 ✅ Shared power resources reducing costs and supply gaps
 ✅ Reliable energy fuelling industry, agriculture and innovation
 ✅ A more resilient, interconnected regional power system This is what the IGAD Regional Infrastructure Master Plan is building — an energy future where no country grows alone. Read more: igad.int/download/developmen… #RisingWithIGAD #OneRegionOneFuture #IGADEnergy

📺 Stories that inform, connect and inspire! Meet Mohamed Nur, winner of the Television Category at the IGAD Media Awards 2025, as he reflects on his experience and the impact of this recognition on his journalism journey. His achievement highlights the power of television journalism to bring important stories to life, amplify community voices and raise awareness of issues shaping our region. 🇺🇬 Kampala is calling! Join us on 19–20 November 2026 as we celebrate another generation of exceptional storytellers. 🌍 mediaawards.igad.int #IGADMediaAwards2026 #RisingWithIGAD #OneRegionOneFuture