APRA, NAMPA Sign MoU to Host 2026 Effective Communicators Conference in Namibia
By Aboki Forex —
The African Public Relations Association (APRA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Namibian Press Agency (NAMPA) to co-host the 2026 Effective Communicators Conference (ECC). The event is scheduled for 14 to 17 July at The Dome in Swakopmund, Namibia’s coastal resort city.
The MoU follows an earlier invitation from NAMPA to APRA. The conference theme is “Communication Reconsidered: A Driving Force for Constant Progress.” It is co-organised by Namibia’s Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT), led by Minister Emma Theofelus. She performed a public unveiling of the events after the MoU signing in Windhoek.
The ECC aims to bring together Africa’s brightest minds and global partners in public relations, marketing, government communications, journalism, and digital media. The goal is to rethink how the continent tells its stories to shape its future and prosperity.
The forum aligns with APRA’s vision of positioning communication as a key driver of development. It provides a platform for scholars, professionals, and policymakers to share knowledge and skills. Stakeholders will discuss rational and empirical approaches to modern communication challenges.
APRA President Arik Karani, represented by Secretary General Omoniyi Ibietan at the signing, praised African governments and institutions for putting communication at the heart of governance. He called the collaboration with MICT through NAMPA a milestone for good standards and education in communication. “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 will feature six high-level strategic forums. These include the Heads of States and Diplomatic Forum, where presidents, vice presidents, ministers, and diplomats will align regional communication priorities. Other forums are the Captains of Industry Forum for business leaders, the Editors and Journalists Forum for media professionals, the Government Communicators Forum for public sector spokespersons, the Strategic Communications and Public Relations Forum for agency leaders, and the Digital Storytelling Forum focusing on AI and social media tools.
Discussions will draw from Southern African perspectives but aim to produce insights for the whole continent. Over 1,000 participants are expected. APRA will also hold its 2026 annual general meeting at the conference, ahead of its 37th annual conference in Abuja in November 2026 during the World Public Relations Forum.