The International African Media Fair (SIMA) is fully aligned with the ambitions of the Senegal 2050 National Transformation Agenda, particularly its first pillar, which aims for "the emergence of a digital society and competitive sectors." This was stated by the Director General of the Maison de la Presse, Babacar Touré, during the official opening ceremony of the first edition of this four-day meeting. In this dynamic, Mr. Sambou Biagui believes that the media play a central role: as creators of content and jobs, as actors of cultural influence, and as catalysts for other sectors of the economy.

“The theme is resonant in more than one way”

The theme of this first edition, namely: "Africa and the Challenges of New Media," is challenging in more than one way, according to Babacar Touré, Director General of the Maison de la Presse. "In the era of social networks, artificial intelligence, and rapid informational changes, Africa must define its own models and priorities, and invest in a strong, structured, and sovereign media sector. The digital revolution has disrupted media practices worldwide. In Africa, it has redrawn the contours of information production and consumption," explained the initiator of SIMA.

For Mr. Biagui, SIMA aims to become an essential pan-African and international event, bringing together the main players in the African media sector, regional and international partners, and promoting increased synergy with the related fields of technology, regulation, innovation and training.

Massive participation of delegations from Africa, Europe and Asia

In this regard, the Director General of the Maison de la Presse, Babacar Touré of Senegal, welcomed the massive participation of delegations from Africa, Europe, and Asia. These include journalists, press bosses, communications experts, researchers, and partner institutions who came from 23 countries across Africa and the world, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Morocco, Guinea, Mauritania, Togo, Benin, Niger, Cameroon, the DRC, Gambia, Congo, Chad, Tunisia, Ghana, Algeria, and many others. All gathered in Dakar to build a stronger, more united, and more independent African media.

It should be recalled that this first edition of the International African Media Fair (SIMA) opened this Monday, October 27, 2025 and will continue until the 30th. It is organized by the Babacar Touré Press House of Senegal, under the auspices of the Ministry of Communication, Telecommunications and Digital Affairs. The opening ceremony was chaired by the Minister of Communication, Telecommunications and Digital Affairs of Senegal, Mr. Alioune Sall, in the presence of the Minister of Information of Gambia, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay; the Minister of Culture, Arts, Communication and Relations with Parliament of Mauritania, Mr. El Houssein Ould Medou; the Deputy Minister of Communication of Liberia, Mr. Daniel O. Sando; the Secretary General of the Ministry of Communication of Chad, Mr. Mahamath Nour; the Secretary General of Reporters Without Borders, Mr. Thibaut Bruttin; among others.