June 16, 2025, Nairobi, Kenya – The International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit, Pepperdine University, Religious Freedom Institute (RFI), and Global Peace Foundation have partnered to present the first-ever IRF Summit Africa, which gets underway today in Nairobi, Kenya. This groundbreaking gathering, the first of its kind to be held on the African continent, aims to galvanize the movement for greater freedom of religion or belief throughout Africa. Titled “Africa Together: A Continental Call to Religious Freedom,” the Summit opens this afternoon at the Safari Park Hotel, with main Summit programming scheduled for Tuesday, June 17.

Africa is a critical area of focus for the international religious freedom community, as it is home to the fastest-growing population in the world and has seen a rise in religiously-motivated acts of terror. IRF Summit Africa will bring together regional and global experts from various sectors of society to consider the impact of government actions on religious freedom in Africa and to explore the critical role of faith communities in restoring peace and promoting religious plurality on the continent. 

“The situation in parts of Africa is dire, but there is also cause for hope,” said Ambassador Sam Brownback, IRF Summit Co-Chair and former U.S. Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom. “We have countless partners on the ground in Africa who are ready to collaborate; they are eager to build the IRF movement and work together to achieve lasting change. I believe IRF Summit Africa will be a turning point for bringing together a diverse coalition that can truly advance this fundamental human right across Africa.”

“This Summit marks a defining moment for Africa,” said H.E. Chief Mrs. Bola Obasanjo, Former First Lady of Nigeria and Co-Chair of IRF Summit Africa. “I am proud to lead this continental effort to champion the sacred right of religious freedom, a right that protects our diversity, strengthens our unity, and uplifts the soul of our nations. Africa has long drawn strength from its deep faith and resilient spirit. Now is the time to ensure that every individual, regardless of belief, can live and worship in peace and dignity. This gathering is not only historic, it is necessary.”

“RFI is honored to be an organizing partner for this critical gathering to mobilize the religious freedom movement throughout Africa,” said RFI President David Trimble. “Confronting the enormous threats to people of faith in Africa in the months and years ahead will take a concerted effort, and the IRF Summit Africa will provide the groundwork for that effort. We are thrilled to join with the African people to advance religious freedom throughout the continent.”

“Religious freedom is a cornerstone of human dignity and a pillar of Pepperdine University’s mission,” said Jim Gash, President of Pepperdine University. “We are proud to stand with leaders across Africa and the global community to advance this essential right. It is a profound honor to co-convene the IRF Summit Africa and to welcome Chief Justices from across the continent who are committed to safeguarding religious freedom and strengthening the rule of law in their nations. This Summit is a powerful demonstration of what principled leadership can achieve.” 

“Africa stands at a pivotal moment in history,” said Dr. Paul Murray, International Vice President for Religious Freedom Initiatives at the Global Peace Foundation. “As the world’s youngest and most spiritually vibrant continent, the stakes for religious freedom could not be higher. The Global Peace Foundation is honored to host the co-convened IRF Summit Africa to amplify African voices, foster faith-based collaboration, and advance our shared vision for an African Renaissance, where dignity, peace, and moral leadership guide the future. This Summit is not just a gathering; it is a continental call to action.”

IRF Summit Africa will present a series of engaging panels and conversations featuring a range of experts and officials. Speakers include Chief Justices from African countries, representatives of the United Nations in Africa, faith community and NGO leaders, human rights lawyers, survivors of persecution, and more. 

Members of the media are invited to attend the Summit. To register as media, please contact Savana McWilliams at savana.mcwilliams@pepperdine.edu or Irene Kizito at ikizito@globalpeace.org. 

Partners of IRF Summit Africa include African Defenders (Pan-African Human Rights Defenders Network), ADF International, BYU International Center for Law and Religion Studies, G20 Interfaith Forum, National Endowment for Democracy, and the Order of Malta Permanent Representation to the African Union.

Learn more about IRF Summit Africa: https://irfsummit.africa/. 

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The Religious Freedom Institute (RFI) works to secure religious freedom for everyone, everywhere. RFI is a non-profit, non-partisan organization based in Washington, D.C.

The International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit is the premier global gathering of a powerful, broad coalition of religious, human rights and civil society groups that advocate for religious freedom for all people, everywhere, at all times.

Pepperdine University is a private Christian university located 30 miles west of Downtown Los Angeles in Malibu, California. Rooted in the Christian tradition, Pepperdine is committed to both the relentless pursuit of truth through academic and scholarly excellence and to embodying Christian faith and values. With students at the heart of the educational enterprise, the University prepares approximately 9,000 scholars for lives of purpose, service, and leadership across its flagship liberal arts school, Seaver College; the College of Health Science; and four graduate schools—the Caruso School of Law; the Graziadio Business School; the Graduate School of Education and Psychology; and the School of Public Policy. Pepperdine is committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values, where students are strengthened for lives of purpose, service, and leadership. Follow Pepperdine on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

The Global Peace Foundation (GPF) is a non-sectarian, non-partisan international nonprofit that promotes peacebuilding, social cohesion, and human dignity based on the vision of “One Family Under God.” Operating in over 20 countries, GPF engages governments, faith leaders, and civil society to advance values-based leadership, interfaith collaboration, and community development. A core focus of GPF’s work is defending religious freedom through its global Freedom of Conscience, Belief, and Religion Initiative, which includes advocacy, education, and multi-stakeholder convenings to protect this fundamental right and uphold human dignity.