Recognising excellence in journalism on Nile Basin water issues. Entries are now closed. Winners will be announced at the 8th Nile Basin Development Forum in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, November 2026.
The Nile Media Awards recognise excellence in journalism on Nile Basin water issues. The 2026 edition is the fifth, and will be presented at the 8th Nile Basin Development Forum in Tanzania in November 2026.
The awards encourage reporting that goes beyond the problem — journalism that examines credible responses, that crosses borders through genuine collaboration, and that reaches communities in the languages and formats they actually use. Four permanent categories each carry three placements, and three cross-cutting prizes are awarded across all entries. Journalists entered a single category; consideration for the cross-cutting prizes is automatic, based on what they provided in the submission form.
The Guidelines for Applicants sets out the awards in full — judging criteria, prize structure, and the complete rules for each category.
Read the Guidelines for ApplicantsEach permanent category carries three placements — Winner, Runner-Up, and Second Runner-Up. Enter one category only.
Too much Nile Basin reporting stops at the problem. This category rewards journalism that goes further: identifying a water challenge and reporting seriously on a credible, working response — with community voices at the centre. Stories that draw on citizen science, community monitoring, or grassroots data are especially encouraged.
The Nile crosses borders, and so should its journalism. This category rewards cross-border reporting produced through genuine collaboration between journalists from two or more Nile Basin countries. It also explicitly welcomes accountability journalism — investigations into the governance, financing, or environmental impact of Nile Basin institutions and infrastructure.
Radio remains the most accessible medium across the basin, reaching communities no other platform can. This category recognises audio storytelling on its own terms — the power of voice, sound, and narrative — and actively encourages entries in local languages.
This category is for journalism that doesn't fit a traditional box: social media storytelling, short-form video, interactive web features, data visualisations, WhatsApp-based reporting, photo essays, or any hybrid format. Visual storytelling is especially encouraged — the Nile Basin offers extraordinary visual subject matter, and image-led narratives are among the most welcome entries here.
These prizes do not require a separate submission. Eligibility is determined by the information you provide in the standard submission form.
Awarded to the entry that produced the most demonstrable real-world impact — a policy change, community action, a government response, funding mobilised, or measurable behaviour change. Include an impact statement in the form to be considered.
Awarded to the best submission by a journalist aged 30 or under. Entrants indicate their date of birth in the form and are considered automatically. The winner receives a trophy plus a six-month sponsored mentorship placement.
Awarded to the entry making the most effective use of NBI technical datasets — translating hydrological, environmental, or socio-economic data into a story a general audience can understand and act on. Name the datasets you used in the form.
— — the call for entries closed and no further entries are being accepted.
The jury screens and scores every eligible entry. Judging is due to finish by —.
All entrants are told by email, before the public announcement, whether they are among the finalists.
Winners are announced at the 8th Nile Basin Development Forum in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 25–27 November 2026.
The call for entries to the Nile Media Awards 2026 closed on —. Thank you to every journalist who entered. New entries are no longer being accepted.
You should have received a confirmation email with your reference number (NMA2026-…). If you cannot find it, check your spam folder, then contact the NBDF8 Secretariat quoting the title of your story.
The jury reviews entries from the links you provided. Please keep your story link live and publicly accessible until at least — — an entry that cannot be accessed during judging may be disqualified.
Read the Guidelines for ApplicantsContact the NBDF8 Secretariat with any query about the awards. We aim to respond within two working days.