The African Public Relations Association (APRA) has re-elected Omoniyi Ibietan from Nigeria as Secretary-General. Arik Karani from Kenya is the new President, and Professor Michele Mekeme from Cameroon is the Vice-President.
The association also approved changes to its constitution to expand its Executive Council.
These decisions were made at APRA’s General Assembly in Swakopmund, Namibia. The meeting took place during the Effective Communicators Conference, which finished on 17 July.
The assembly also kept Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, who was the immediate past president, as a non-elective member of the Executive Council.
The re-election occurred during the Effective Communicators Conference. This event had notable attendees like Namibia’s Vice President, Lucia Witbooi; Botswana’s Vice President, Ndaba Gaolathe; Namibia’s Erongo Region Governor, Natalia Goagoses; and the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus.
The General Assembly praised the Executive Council for what it called a strong performance over the last two years. They noted progress in boosting national and regional public relations groups across Africa, working with ICT ministers and other important stakeholders, and enhancing the association’s governance and operational structures.
In light of these achievements, delegates gave their full support to continue the leadership of the association’s three main officers.
Besides renewing the leadership, members also approved APRA’s new Constitution. This change adds a Treasurer, an Assistant Secretary-General, and six regional coordinators. These coordinators will represent East Africa, Francophone Africa, the Indian Ocean Islands and other nearby islands, North Africa, Southern Africa, and West Africa.
The Assembly also instructed the re-elected council to fill these new positions before APRA’s 37th Annual Conference. This conference will take place alongside the World Public Relations Forum (WPRF) in Abuja from 15 to 21 November 2026.
Speaking for the Executive Council, Mr Karani thanked the delegates for trusting the leadership. He promised to guide the association into the next phase of its strategic plan.
Karani stated that APRA will collaborate with the African Union (AU) to support the continent’s Digital Transformation Strategy.
He mentioned that the association would use its network of public relations and communication experts across Africa. This is to raise public awareness, improve engagement with stakeholders, and build trust around the continent’s digital transformation efforts.
As part of this plan, APRA aims to promote digital literacy through smart communication campaigns. They also want to encourage ethical and responsible digital communication practices. The association will work on enhancing professionals' skills in communicating about new technologies like artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
APRA will also push for teamwork among policymakers, innovators, the media, and citizens. Their goal is to position public relations as a key player in Africa’s digital economy and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
APRA started in 1975 and is the main body for public relations and strategic communication professionals in Africa. The association aims to promote professional standards, ethical practices, research, capacity building, and teamwork among communication practitioners in Africa.
These recent changes come as many governments, businesses, and institutions see the importance of strategic communication. It helps drive digital transformation, fight misinformation, and strengthen public engagement. The expanded Executive Council of APRA is expected to improve regional representation and back the implementation of the association’s strategic goals before the World Public Relations Forum in Abuja later this year.
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