APRA and NAMPA Team Up for Communication Conference in Namibia

The African Public Relations Association (APRA) on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Namibian Press Agency (NAMPA).

This MoU follows an earlier invitation from NAMPA to APRA to co-host the 2026 Effective Communicators Conference (ECC). This event is set for 14-17 July at The Dome, located in Swakopmund, Namibia's adventure capital and coastal resort city.

The theme of the ECC is “Communication Reconsidered: A Driving Force for Constant Progress.” The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) in Namibia is co-organizing the event. The Minister, Emma Theofelus, had earlier introduced the conference in Windhoek after the MoU signing between NAMPA and APRA.

The ECC will bring together Africa’s brightest minds along with global partners in areas such as public relations, marketing, government communications, journalism, and digital media. The goal is to rethink how Africa tells its stories to influence the continent's future and success.

This aligns with APRA’s aim to highlight the importance of communication as a key driver of development. It also encourages public relations experts, scholars, and policymakers to come together for knowledge sharing and skill development. The forum will allow stakeholders to share ideas and strategies to tackle the modern challenges in communication.

APRA President, Arik Karani, was represented at the MoU signing by APRA Secretary General, Omoniyi Ibietan. He appreciated how African governments and institutions are increasingly focusing on communication in governance.

The APRA president mentioned that the partnership between APRA, MICT, and NAMPA marks a key step towards achieving high 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,” he said.

ECC 2026 will feature six strategic forums, gathering leaders, practitioners, and decision-makers in specially designed spaces. Discussions will mainly reflect Southern African views and priorities, but insights are expected to resonate across the continent.

A major highlight of ECC 2026 is the Heads of States and Diplomatic Forum. This high-level meeting will include presidents, vice presidents, ministers, and diplomats, focusing on regional communication priorities and Africa's position globally.

Other discussions will include: the Captains of Industry Forum, which will look at how businesses can support regional growth; the Editors and Journalists Forum, an exclusive space for editors and senior journalists to discuss press freedom and the future of journalism in Africa; the Government Communicators Forum for information officers and public sector communicators to share strategies; the Strategic Communications and Public Relations Forum, featuring PR consultants and communication strategists focused on crisis management and integrated campaigns; and the Digital Storytelling Forum, where participants will explore new digital tools and the rise of creator-led storytelling in Africa.

The Namibian conference is set to be a significant gathering of important players in communication governance. It highlights the growing role communication will have as Africa moves towards a new phase of growth and development.

Over 1,000 participants are expected at the forum. APRA will also hold its 2026 annual general meeting there, ahead of its 37th annual conference, which will take place in Abuja in November 2026 during the World Public Relations Forum.