APRA, NAMPA Partner for 2026 Communication Conference in Namibia
By Patience Ikpeme
The African Public Relations Association (African Public Relations Association) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Namibian Press Agency (Namibian Press Agency) as preparations intensify for a major continental communication conference scheduled for 2026.
The agreement followed an invitation extended by NAMPA to APRA to jointly organise the 2026 Effective Communicators Conference (ECC), which is billed to hold between July 14 and July 17, 2026, at The Dome in Swakopmund, a coastal resort city widely regarded as Namibia’s tourism hub. The development was contained in a statement issued by APRA’s Secretary General, Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan, who represented the association’s President, Mr. Arik Karani, at the signing ceremony.
The conference, themed “Communication Reconsidered: A Driving Force for Constant Progress,” is being organised in partnership with Namibia’s Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (Namibia)) under the leadership of the Minister, Honourable Emma Theofelus (Emma Theofelus). The Minister had earlier unveiled activities leading to the event in Windhoek after the MoU between NAMPA and APRA was signed.
According to the organisers, the ECC is designed to bring together leading voices across Africa and beyond, including professionals in public relations, journalism, marketing, government communication and digital media. The goal is to encourage a fresh way of thinking about how African stories are told and how communication can support development, stability and economic progress across the continent.
Mr. Arik Karani, President of APRA, who was represented by Dr. Ibietan at the signing, expressed appreciation for the growing commitment of African governments and institutions to place communication at the centre of governance and development efforts.
He said the partnership between APRA and Namibia through NAMPA reflects a shared commitment to raising professional standards in communication practice across Africa.
“We are committed to telling the African story with shared intentions, cooperative, evidence-based, safe, ethical and responsible communication, to enhance understanding, trust, stability and prosperity of the continent,” Karani said.
The ECC 2026 is structured around six major strategic forums that will examine different aspects of communication and its role in governance, business and society. These include a high-level Heads of States and Diplomatic Forum expected to bring together presidents, vice presidents, ministers and diplomats to discuss Africa’s communication priorities and its global image.
Other sessions will include a Captains of Industry Forum focusing on the role of the private sector in regional development; an Editors and Journalists Forum where media leaders will discuss press freedom, credibility of information and the future of journalism in Africa; and a Government Communicators Forum aimed at strengthening coordination among public sector information officers and spokespersons.
In addition, a Strategic Communications and Public Relations Forum will address issues such as crisis communication, reputation management and integrated communication strategies, while a Digital Storytelling Forum will explore the impact of artificial intelligence, social media platforms and new digital tools on modern storytelling across Africa.
Organisers say the conference will serve as a major gathering for communication leaders and policy actors, providing a platform to exchange ideas that can shape the continent’s communication landscape. More than 1,000 participants are expected to attend the event.
APRA is also expected to hold its 2026 Annual General Meeting during the conference, ahead of its 37th Annual Conference scheduled for Abuja in November 2026, which will coincide with the World Public Relations Forum.
