The African Public Relations Association (APRA) and the Namibian Press Agency (NAMPA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly host the 2026 Effective Communicators Conference (ECC), a major continental gathering aimed at redefining the role of communication in Africa’s development agenda.
The agreement followed an earlier invitation extended by NAMPA to APRA to co-host the conference, which is scheduled to hold from July 14 to 17, 2026, at The Dome in Swakopmund, Namibia’s renowned coastal resort city.
The conference, themed “Communication Reconsidered: A Driving Force for Constant Progress,” is being organised in collaboration with Namibia’s Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT), led by Honourable Emma Theofelus. The minister had earlier unveiled activities leading to the conference during a ceremony in Windhoek following the signing of the MoU.
ECC 2026 is expected to bring together communication professionals, policymakers, journalists, marketers, government spokespersons, digital media experts, academics and international partners to explore innovative ways of advancing Africa’s development through strategic communication.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, APRA President, Mr. Arik Karani, represented by APRA Secretary General, Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan, commended African governments and institutions for increasingly recognising communication as a critical component of governance and development.
Karani described the partnership between APRA and Namibia’s Ministry of Information and Communication Technology through NAMPA as a significant milestone in advancing professional standards, communication education and ethical practice across the continent.
He reaffirmed APRA’s commitment to promoting responsible, evidence-based and ethical communication capable of fostering understanding, trust, stability and prosperity throughout Africa.
According to the organisers, ECC 2026 will feature six strategic high-level forums designed to address key communication challenges and opportunities across the continent.
Among the highlights is the Heads of States and Diplomatic Forum, which will bring together presidents, vice presidents, ministers and diplomatic representatives to discuss Africa’s communication priorities and global image.
Other sessions include the Captains of Industry Forum, focusing on the role of business in driving regional progress; the Editors and Journalists Forum, which will examine press freedom, information integrity and the future of African journalism; and the Government Communicators Forum, where public sector communication professionals will share best practices and align messaging strategies.
The conference will also host the Strategic Communications and Public Relations Forum, dedicated to crisis communication, reputation management and integrated campaigns, as well as the Digital Storytelling Forum, which will explore artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, social media platforms and creator-led storytelling.
Organisers expect more than 1,000 participants from across Africa and beyond, making the conference one of the continent’s largest communication and media gatherings.
As part of the event, APRA will hold its 2026 Annual General Meeting ahead of its 37th Annual Conference, which is scheduled to take place in Abuja, Nigeria, in November 2026 alongside the World Public Relations Forum.
Stakeholders believe the conference will serve as a strategic platform for shaping communication governance and strengthening the role of communication in Africa’s pursuit of sustainable growth, development and prosperity.
