Africa Uncensored is teaming up with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Regional Media Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa to offer a special training opportunity. They're inviting applications for a one-week Advanced Investigative Journalism Training that will take place in Mombasa, Kenya. This is a great chance for mid-career and senior journalists to learn from the best.
The training is designed to be intensive and hands-on, where participants will work closely with experienced investigative reporters, editors, and digital forensics experts. They'll learn new skills in areas like data journalism, how to protect their sources, and understand the legal frameworks that affect their work. They'll also learn about digital verification, which is crucial in today's digital age.
The goal is for each participant to develop a real, publishable investigative story by the end of the week. This training is fully residential, so participants will have the chance to focus fully on their learning and networking with others in the field. It's a unique opportunity for journalists to take their skills to the next level and produce high-quality, investigative stories that can make a real impact.
Key Details
The deadline to apply is August 15th, 2026, a Saturday. If you're selected, you'll be heading to Mombasa, Kenya from November 4th to 8th, 2026, for a week-long, fully residential training program. This course is not really great for beginners; it is an advanced-level program, so it's best suited for journalists who are already mid-career or senior-level professionals, rather than those just starting out in the field.
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for this program, you need to have at least three years of experience in reporting. This can be in any type of media, such as newspapers, TV, radio, or online news sites.
It's also important that you have either worked on investigative reporting in the past or are really interested in doing this kind of work.
The program is open to all kinds of journalists, including staff reporters, freelancers, editors, and those who create multimedia content.
While they especially want journalists from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Somalia to apply, they welcome applications from all African countries, not just those in East Africa.
During the selection process, they will look at your experience in journalism, which should be backed up by a collection of your published work. They also consider the quality and feasibility of the investigative story you propose to work on, as well as how clearly you can explain your motivation and commitment to holding people in power accountable through your journalism.
Additionally, they strive to select candidates from diverse geographic locations and backgrounds, and they particularly encourage women journalists to apply, as they believe their voices and perspectives are essential in the field of accountability journalism.
What the Training Covers
During this training, you will learn more than just the basics of investigating. You will get to try out tools for data journalism, open-source intelligence, and checking things online.
You will also learn about laws that protect you and your work, how to stay safe, and what's right and wrong when it comes to investigating. One of the main things they want to happen is for people from the same region to meet and work together. They want to connect journalists who are working to make sure people in power are doing the right thing.
What's Provided
- If you're chosen to take part, you'll get to work closely with experienced investigative journalists who will guide and support you.
- You'll also receive training materials and access to digital tools to help you with your investigations.
- The best part is that you won't have to worry about where to stay, as your accommodation in Mombasa will be fully covered for the entire training period.
- And if you're coming from outside Mombasa, don't worry about how you'll get there - your return travel costs will be taken care of.
- At the end of it all, you'll receive a certificate to show that you've completed the training.
Required Documents
To apply, you'll need to send in a few things.
- First, fill out the application form completely.
- You'll also need to include your current resume or CV, but make sure it's not more than three pages long.
- Next, come up with a brief pitch for an investigative story. This should be between 300 and 500 words and cover the main issue, why it's of public interest, and who you might talk to for the story.
- You'll also need to share some examples of your previous work in investigative or accountability journalism. Pick three pieces you're proud of and send them in as links or PDFs.
- Finally, get a letter of support from someone who can vouch for your work. If you're a staff journalist, this should be from your editor or someone at your media organization. If you're a freelancer, you can get a letter from a commissioning editor, a media partner, or a professional referee.
Application Process
- Prepare your CV (max 3 pages)
- Write your investigative story pitch (300-500 words), covering the issue, public interest angle, and potential sources
- Gather three samples of your published investigative or accountability journalism
- Secure a letter of support from your editor, media organization, or a professional referee if freelance
- Complete the official application form
- Submit before Saturday, 15th August 2026
Major Considerations
This training program is really designed for journalists who have a lot of experience under their belt. To be considered, you typically need at least three years of experience and a strong background in investigative or accountability journalism. If you're just starting out in your career, it's unlikely you'll be competitive, no matter how passionate you are about the field. One thing that's really important to get right is your investigative story pitch. Since it's a key part of the selection process, a pitch that's not well thought out or is too vague can hurt your chances, even if you have a strong track record of good work.
When you're applying, make sure you have a solid story idea that's really worth telling. They expect you to come up with something that has real potential, instead of just fill out the form. So, I advise that you come up with something really solid during the application.
Your idea should be based on actual sources and have a clear connection to the public interest. Don't just go through the motions - think carefully about what you want to say and who you want to reach. By the end of the week, you should be able to produce a story that's good enough to be published. So, take your time and come up with something that's genuinely viable, rather than just trying to meet the minimum requirements. This will show that you're serious about your work and that you're committed to producing high-quality content.
Should You Apply?
This program is perfect for African journalists who have been working in the field for a while, at least three years, and have a strong track record of investigative reporting. If you have a great idea for a story and want to take it to the next level, this is a good fit for you.
However, if you're just starting out or don't have much experience with investigative reporting, this might not be the best choice. The selection process is pretty competitive, and they're looking for people who have already shown they can do this kind of work. So, if you're a mid-career or senior journalist with a solid portfolio and a story idea you're passionate about, this could be a great opportunity for you.
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