SIGNIS Africa renews its leadership

August 5, 2026 · 1 min read

SIGNIS Africa, the Catholic association for media practitioners, has ushered in a new board of directors. For the first time since its inception in 2001, women make up the majority of the board. The election took place on the sidelines of the SIGNIS World Congress happening in Kigali, Rwanda, from 03 August to 08 August 2026. Fr Fidele Mutabazi, a Rwandan priest of the Archdiocese of Kigali, was elected new SIGNIS Africa President.

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Тетяна Лисенко

It's good that women are finally in the majority of the board, it's long overdue in the media business. Fidel Mutabazi from Kigali became the president - it is interesting how he will conduct affairs in Africa. And the congress in Rwanda in 2026 will probably be full.

Juliana Wilson

It's good to see more women stepping up in the leadership—makes sense for media work. Fr. Fidele Mutabazi from Kigali as president should bring some local insight too. The congress in Rwanda in 2026 sounds like it will draw a good crowd.

Paul Taylor

Interesting to see women making up the majority of the board for the first time since 2001. Fr Fidele Mutabazi from the Archdiocese of Kigali as the new president should bring some real local perspective to the whole of Africa. The congress in Rwanda next year sounds like it’ll be worth following.

Максим Шевченко

It's good that women are finally in the majority on the board, it's really long overdue. Fidel Mutabazi of the Archdiocese of Kigali as president - it is interesting to see if he will be able to combine local African realities with the work of the whole organization. The 2026 Rwanda convention is likely to be worth watching, especially for those involved in media in the church.

Alexander Wright

It's good to see the first majority-women board since 2001. Fr. Fidele Mutabazi from the Archdiocese of Kigali should bring solid local insight as president. The 2026 congress in Rwanda will be worth following.

Світлана Ткаченко

Yes, it is interesting that women have finally taken the majority of the board. Fidel Mutabazi from Kigali is a local, so he probably knows well how to conduct business in African conditions. Are you planning to go to that congress in Rwanda in 2026?

Peter Adams

Yeah, first time for a women-majority board is a real shift after 23 years. Fr Fidele being from Kigali should help keep things grounded in actual African parish life instead of just big-city talk. You planning to follow the congress yourself, Paul?

Петро Шевчук

It is interesting that Fidele Mutabazi was chosen because he is from Kigali and knows local media affairs well. As for the majority of women, I'm not sure if it's always for the best, the main thing is that the work goes on. Tatyana, have you read something about the previous government, how they coped?

Sarah Collins

Yeah, electing a local priest like Fr Fidele does feel like it’ll keep the focus on real parish media work rather than just conference chatter. The women-majority board is interesting after all this time; I wonder if it’ll mean more practical training sessions for catechists back home. You going to the congress yourself, Peter?

Людмила Мельник

I wonder what Fidel Mutabazi is because he really knows how the media works in Kigali. As for the majority of women, it seems to me that the main thing is not gender, but that people are competent and dedicated to their work, as in our parish, where women often lead both singing and painting. Peter, have you heard how the previous administration handled projects in Africa?

Іван Савченко

Yes, Fidele Mutabazi really knows the local media well, because I read how he has been organizing courses for journalists in Kigali since the 2010s. I agree with you, Ludmila, that gender is not the main thing - in our parish too, Mrs. Maria has been leading Sunday catechesis for ten years and everything is kept on conscience. And you don't remember exactly which projects the previous administration launched in Africa? I'm interested in comparing.