The African Public Relations Association (APRA) and the Namibian Press Agency (NAMPA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly organise the 2026 Effective Communicators Conference (ECC), a continental gathering aimed at redefining the role of communication in Africa’s development agenda.
The conference is scheduled to hold from July 14–17, 2026, at The Dome in Swakopmund, Namibia, bringing together leading voices from public relations, journalism, government communication, marketing, digital media and strategic communications.
Themed “Communication Reconsidered: A Driving Force for Constant Progress,” ECC 2026 is being co-organised with the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) of Namibia, led by Minister Emma Theofelus.
According to a press statement signed by Omoniyi Ibietan, PhD, fnipr Secretary General, African Public Relations Association, the partnership underscores growing recognition across Africa that effective communication is critical to governance, economic development, institutional trust and global reputation management.
APRA President, Mr. Arik Karani, represented at the MoU signing by APRA Secretary General, Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan, said the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to strengthening communication practices and improving Africa’s global narrative.
Karani noted that APRA remains committed to promoting ethical, evidence-based, and responsible communication that enhances understanding, stability and sustainable growth across the continent.
“Communication must remain a foundational pillar for progress, enabling Africa to tell its story with shared purpose, cooperation and credibility,” he said.
ECC 2026 is expected to attract more than 1,000 participants, including policymakers, business leaders, media executives, communication professionals and international partners.
The conference will feature six strategic forums designed to address the future of communication in Africa. These include the Heads of States and Diplomatic Forum, which will bring together political leaders and diplomatic representatives to discuss regional communication priorities and Africa’s image on the global stage.
The Captains of Industry Forum will focus on the role of businesses in shaping economic transformation, while the Editors and Journalists Forum will examine press freedom, information integrity and the evolving future of African journalism.
Other sessions will include the Government Communicators Forum, Strategic Communications and Public Relations Forum, and Digital Storytelling Forum, where experts will explore crisis communication, reputation management, artificial intelligence, digital platforms and emerging content creation models.
Organisers said discussions will draw from Southern African experiences while producing insights relevant to the wider continent, particularly as Africa navigates technological change, misinformation challenges and the need for stronger public trust.
The agreement also positions Namibia as a key hub for continental dialogue on communication innovation and governance.
As part of the event programme, APRA will hold its 2026 Annual General Meeting ahead of its 37th Annual Conference, scheduled for Abuja, Nigeria, in November 2026 during the World Public Relations Forum.
The ECC 2026 is expected to reinforce Africa’s growing emphasis on strategic communication as a tool for economic advancement, institutional credibility and international engagement.
