Investigative journalism is alive and well in Africa, report Lulah Mapiye and Sechabe Molete.
- Journalists and media workers from over 30 African countries gathered for the AIJC conference.
- Journalists were reminded to apply journalistic basics to produce the best work.
- The annual AIJC conference will take place in Kenya next year.
Investigative journalists from South Africa, The Gambia and Ghana walked home with all the spoils of the third edition of the African Investigative Journalism Awards held on Thursday, November 6, 2025.
The ceremony, hosted in partnership with ABSA, brought together journalists and media workers from over 37 African countries and 45 further afield, reaffirming a common desire to change the world through storytelling.
As broadcaster Sakina Kumwendo introduced the night’s various speakers, it became evident that the future of African journalism is in good hands.
“As I look around, I see not just fellow journalists, but I also see the ultimate custodians of truth on our continent. Women and men who carry the torch in the darkest corners where power hides, knowing full well that this very light they bare makes them targets,” said the Editor in Chief of Nation Media Group, Dr. Joe Ageyo, in his keynote address.
Ageyo’s message was a call to action for all African journalists to sharpen their tools to save Africa from the horrors brought on by corruption, negligent leadership and weaponised incompetence that continue to torment her.
South African journalist Dewald Rensburg won the award for his 10-part series titled ‘City of Gold’ last night. Rensburg’s ‘City of Gold’ piece exposes a large Gold-based VAT scam worth billions. His exposè shines light on organised crime and money laundering in Johannesburg’s gold sector.
Convener of Judges, Gwen Lister, revealed there were many compelling submissions, which almost made choosing one ultimate winner impossible. However, what sets winning journalists apart from the rest is the ability to go back to journalistic basics.
And 2025’s awards did not only celebrate the first prize recipient, second place went to Mustapha K Darbae of The Republic, The Gambia for “The Assets Go for a Song”. In third place were Seth Bokpe and Edmund Agyemang Boateng of The Forth Estate, Ghana for “Forest invasion.”
The investigative journalism work continues and delegates will convene in November 2026 at Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya for the fourth AIJC.
FEATURED IMAGE: Dewald van Rensburg giving a speech after winning. Photo: Leon Sadiki
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- Wits Vuvuzela, Two exposés share top investigation prize, April 2022
