The conference’s main themes include information access, media development, and freedom of expression. Additionally, it includes representatives from governments, ECOWAS, the diplomatic community, development partners, and all of the MFWA’s national partners from all 16 West African nations.

The Awards are opened to journalists from print, electronic and online media in Anglophone, Francophone, and Lusophone countries in West Africa. An Applicant must be West African, working with and for a media organisation(s).