Nabil Ahmed Rufai selected for EJN Fellowship for Our Ocean Conference in Kenya

Freelance broadcast journalist, Nabil Ahmed Rufai, has been selected for the prestigious Earth Journalism Network (EJN) Fellowship to attend and report from the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya.

Rufai is among a select group of six journalists chosen from across the globe to report on critical ocean and coastal issues affecting communities and ecosystems.

The other journalists are Dare Akogun (Nigeria), Belinda Cece Siago (Kenya), Eveline de Klerk (Namibia), Ushar Prakash Kaur Daniele (Malaysia) and Jorge Mario Rodriguez Baeza (Guatemala).

More than 150 journalists from around the world applied for the fellowship, but only six were selected after a highly competitive process, according to the selection committee.

The fellowship, organised by Internews’ Earth Journalism Network, supports journalists from coastal countries to cover one of the world’s leading gatherings on ocean conservation, marine sustainability and the blue economy. The conference will take place from June 16 to 18, 2026, under the theme “Our Ocean, Our Heritage, Our Future.”

As part of the program, fellows will participate in training sessions, expert briefings and field activities designed to strengthen reporting on topics such as sustainable fisheries, marine pollution, climate change, maritime security and the sustainable blue economy.

The 2026 conference is particularly significant as it marks the first time the Our Ocean Conference will be hosted in Africa. Discussions are expected to focus on strengthening ocean governance, promoting marine conservation, supporting coastal livelihoods and advancing global commitments to protect marine ecosystems.

Rufai’s selection reflects his growing contribution to environmental and international reporting, particularly on issues affecting Africa’s coastal communities.

Through the fellowship, he will produce stories and analyses aimed at highlighting both the challenges and opportunities facing the continent’s oceans and maritime resources.

EJN Africa Regional Coordinator and trainer, Gideon Sarpong, said the conference comes at a crucial time for both Africa and the world.

“The Our Ocean Conference 2026 comes at an important moment for ocean governance. As the first edition to be hosted in Africa, it provides an opportunity to bring African perspectives to the forefront on issues such as illegal fishing, marine conservation, and the development of a sustainable blue economy,” he said.

The fellowship is being implemented through EJN’s Ocean Media Initiative and aims to strengthen reporting on major ocean and environmental issues.