The African Public Relations Association (APRA) and the Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to co-host the 2026 Effective Communicators Conference (ECC), a major continental forum aimed at strengthening public communication and media collaboration across Africa.
The agreement was signed on Thursday ahead of the conference scheduled for 14–17 July 2026 in Swakopmund, Namibia, and will be co-organised with Namibia’s Ministry of Information and Communication Technology.
The initiative is part of broader efforts to position communication as a central driver of governance, development and regional integration across the continent.
The conference, themed “Communication Reconsidered: A Driving Force for Constant Progress,” is expected to bring together more than 1,000 participants, including policymakers, journalists, public relations professionals, academics and digital media practitioners.
Organisers say the event will provide a platform for rethinking how African countries tell their stories and manage information in an era shaped by rapid digital transformation, artificial intelligence and evolving media ecosystems.
The MoU was welcomed by APRA leadership, with Secretary General African Public Relations Association (APRA) representing APRA President Arik Karani at the signing ceremony.
He said the partnership reflects growing recognition by African governments of the importance of strategic communication in governance and public trust-building.
The conference is being co-organised with the Namibian government through the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, led by Minister Emma Theofelus.
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Officials said the ECC 2026 will feature six high-level forums covering key areas including government communication, journalism, corporate strategy, digital storytelling and diplomatic engagement.
A central highlight will be a Heads of State and Diplomatic Forum, expected to bring together senior political leaders and diplomats to discuss Africa’s communication priorities and global narrative positioning.
Other sessions will focus on media freedom, crisis communication, corporate reputation management and the role of digital platforms in shaping public discourse.
Organisers say the conference reflects a growing continental push to professionalise communication systems and strengthen information integrity amid rising concerns over misinformation and rapidly changing media technologies.
The APRA also noted that outcomes from the conference are expected to influence communication policy discussions beyond Southern Africa, with implications for governance and media practice across the continent.
The event forms part of APRA’s broader agenda to advance standards in public relations and communication management while fostering collaboration between governments, media institutions and private sector actors.
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A key objective, organisers said, is to strengthen Africa’s ability to project its own narratives globally while improving transparency, accountability and public engagement at national and regional levels.
