Every year since 2005, the investigative journalism community gathers at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. The African Investigative Journalism Conference (AIJC) is the largest annual gathering of investigative journalists on the continent. It is three days of celebrating the work of the continent’s best journalists, networking, sharing stories, training, and catching up on cutting edge tools and techniques.This year’s event will include financial investigations into public and private sectors; the growing relationship between civil society and investigative journalists; how to deal with physical and online security threats; the surge in cross-border investigations; the latest in data journalism and multimedia storytelling; and keynote addresses from top international prize-winning journalists. AIJC is brought to you by the Wits Journalism programme of University of the Witwatersrand.

We’ll be hosting various investigative reporters, editors and producers from the African continent and the United States of America.We expect about 40 panels, training sessions, keynotes and workshops. Check out the program site for confirmed updates.

Read more about speakers here

For #AIJC18, the world’s muckrakers are gathering at the Wits Science Stadium at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), in Johannesburg, South Africa. The stadium complex was opened in June 2012. It consists of a former sports grandstand that has been converted into lecture theatres, and a new building housing laboratories. The conference runs from Monday, 29 October until Wednesday, 31 October 2018.

Venue & Contact Info can be found here.

Conference registration is open now. You can register via our Event Espresso page. The early bird registration fee is ZAR3200 (until August 31). After that date, the fee will be ZAR3500.

Read more about registration here.

Fill in the registration form. Pay by EFT or at the bank (details on the invoice) and send us the invoice and proof of payment. Early bird payments must be made by August 31. We will send you confirmation of registration. Your registration will be complete only when we have received proof of payment. Send proof of payment to registration@journalism.co.za to enable us to confirm your registration.

The fee includes full access to the conference’s panels, workshops and special sessions. It also covers teas and lunches during conference days, a networking reception, Carlos Cardosa lecture, an awards gala dinner on Tuesday 29th October 2018 and transportation between the conference venue and selected hotels.

The registration page is here.

A lot of participants are expected to attend the conference, and rooms will fill up, so book early if you can.

Travelers arriving at Johannesburg’s international airport, O.R. Tambo International, are just a half-hour drive from most major parts of the city. The Gautrain can take visitors to Rosebank or, for those staying in the city centre, to Park Station. The Gautrain has a comprehensive schedule available on Gautrain Timetable. Travelers buy a pre-paid card at the airport. For travelers arriving very early or very late, most hotels operate their own shuttle bus services to and from the airport. The Uber app is also fully functional across South Africa and Uber cabs are another means of getting around conveniently, safely, and affordably. 

You can read more about visas here.

The AIJC is possible because of sponsors large and small, including foundations, news media, NGOs, schools and training centres, tech companies, and individuals. We raise funds to bring talented journalists from around the world to these events, and we need your support. Here’s a chance to support the “special forces” of journalism – the reporters, editors, producers and programmers on the front lines of battling crime, corruption, abuse of trust, and lack of accountability. Contact Juliana Thornton at juliana.thornton@wits.ac.za.

Yes! AIJC and Wits Journalism are giving out over 40 fellowships for journalists from African countries to attend. The deadline is 3 August, 2018.

Read more about the fellowship programme here.

South Africa uses the rand (R) or (ZAR). Bank notes are issued in R10, R20, R50, R100, and R200 denominations and coins come in denominations of 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, R1, R2 and R5. Please note that debit and credit cards are widely accepted, particularly MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Diners Club.

October marks the spring season in Johannesburg and the weather is generally in the range of 20 to 25 degrees Celsius or more by midday (in the 70’s F.) and drops to about 16 degrees at night (low 60’s F.). Please ensure you have adequate sun protection. The evenings can still be slightly chilly so a light jacket is recommended.

Dress code for the AIJC is casual. Jeans, shoes or sneakers, shirts or t-shirts are all okay. You might want to dress up for the award ceremony dinner. Pack a warm, waterproof jacket, just in case.

The university provides a safe and relaxed conference environment, as do the recommended hotels. However, visitors to Johannesburg need to take precautions against crime. Walking on foot outside of campus, especially at night, is not recommended for travelers who are unfamiliar with Johannesburg city centre and the area around the university campus. Be alert and do not carry your valuables in a way that is clearly visible and easily accessible.