16–20 June 2026 | Mwanza, Tanzania

In June 2026, recovery leaders, rehabilitation professionals, church leaders and partner organisations from across East Africa gathered in Mwanza, Tanzania, for the ISAAC East Africa Conference 2026. Hosted at St. Dominic Annex Centre, the conference brought together delegates from seven countries under the theme:

“Hope in the Struggle: Navigating Addiction with Faith.”

The event was more than a conference. It was a powerful opportunity to inspire, equip and connect those serving on the frontlines of addiction recovery across Africa. It strengthened relationships, deepened professional knowledge and created new opportunities for collaboration that will continue to impact communities throughout the region.

A Theme of Hope

Addiction continues to affect individuals, families and communities across Africa, often bringing hopelessness, broken relationships and social exclusion. The conference theme acknowledged these realities while boldly affirming a different message: recovery is possible.

Throughout the week, speakers and facilitators explored how Christian faith, evidence-informed practice, compassionate leadership and community support can work together to bring lasting transformation. Every presentation and discussion reinforced the belief that recovery is not simply about overcoming addiction—it is a journey of healing, restored identity and renewed purpose.

Delegates were encouraged to become ambassadors of hope within their communities while strengthening recovery systems that integrate Biblical principles with professional addiction practice.

Inspiring, Equipping and Connecting

The conference was built around four key objectives:

1. Inspiring addiction recovery leaders through Christian faith and shared learning.
2. Strengthening collaboration between churches, organisations and professionals across the region.
3. Promoting holistic recovery that addresses spiritual, psychological, emotional and social needs.
4. Building leadership capacity for sustainable recovery programmes throughout Africa.

These objectives remained central throughout the event and were reflected in both the programme content and the relationships formed among participants.

Conference Highlights

A total of 57 delegates from seven countries attended the conference, representing a diverse range of ministries, rehabilitation centres, churches and community organisations.

Feedback from participants demonstrated the significant impact of the event:

• 96% reported making valuable new professional connections.
• 96% received personal encouragement through the conference.
• 100% rated the conference sessions positively.
• 100% reported an improved understanding of ISAAC International and its mission.

The evaluation also revealed exceptionally high levels of satisfaction, with participants highlighting both the quality of the training and the opportunities for networking and collaboration.

Equipping Recovery Leaders

One of the strongest outcomes of the conference was the practical equipping of those working in addiction recovery.

Participants reported gaining valuable knowledge and skills in areas including:

• Understanding addiction
• Genesis Process Change Groups
• Trauma-informed recovery
• Worker wellbeing
• Recovery as a process of hope
• Community-based recovery models
• Faith-integrated recovery approaches
• Regional collaboration and networking

Importantly, every delegate who completed the evaluation agreed that the conference presentations provided sufficient depth, practical relevance and knowledge that could be directly applied within their ministries and organisations.

Many participants also shared that the conference helped reshape their understanding of addiction, reinforcing the view that addiction is a disease requiring holistic intervention rather than punishment or stigma.

Strategic Insights for the Future

Analysis of conference evaluations highlighted several important themes that will help shape future planning.

A Growing Desire for Collaboration

Recovery leaders across Africa expressed a strong desire for greater regional partnership, regular networking opportunities and ongoing collaboration.

Supporting the Supporters

Sessions focused on worker wellbeing received particularly strong feedback. Many delegates highlighted concerns around burnout, compassion fatigue and the emotional demands placed upon those working in addiction recovery.

Demand for Practical Training

Participants consistently requested more practical workshops, case studies, peer learning opportunities and Change Group facilitation training, demonstrating a preference for interactive learning experiences.

Addressing Youth Addiction

Youth addiction emerged as one of the most urgent concerns identified by delegates. Participants recognised the need for greater attention and resources to address the growing challenges facing young people across African communities.

The Continued Relevance of Faith-Based Recovery

Delegates strongly affirmed the value of integrating biblical principles with evidence-informed recovery approaches. Many viewed this combination as both practical and sustainable for addressing addiction within African contexts.

A Message from the East Africa Coordinator

Reflecting on the conference, East Africa Coordinator Richard Matundura expressed gratitude for everyone who contributed to its success:

“I thank God for His faithfulness and for each one of you. What we have witnessed through the conference is a historic milestone, and I am deeply grateful for your prayers, support and commitment throughout the journey.

By God’s grace, the conference was a great success and had a significant impact on all the delegates. This achievement belongs to all of us, and I thank you for standing with the vision.

As the Bible says, ‘The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.’ (Psalm 126:3)”

Conclusion

The ISAAC East Africa Conference 2026 successfully fulfilled its mission of inspiring, equipping and connecting recovery leaders across Africa.

Beyond the immediate benefits experienced by delegates, the conference strengthened regional partnerships, increased professional capacity and created strategic opportunities for future growth. Most importantly, it demonstrated once again that faith-based addiction recovery offers hope, practical solutions and sustainable pathways to transformation for individuals, families and communities.

As ISAAC continues to expand its recovery mission across Africa, the relationships formed, knowledge shared and vision established in Mwanza will continue to bear fruit for years to come.