The African Public Relations Association (APRA) has been recognised with the Africa PR Legacy Award, marking its significant impact on the growth and development of public relations across the African continent. This prestigious award was presented to APRA at the 2026 ASCOM Communication Summit and Awards, which took place on 17 September 2026 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
APRA is the first organisation to receive the Africa PR Legacy Award, a testament to its enduring legacy and commitment to professional unity, standardisation, and collaboration within the public relations profession. The Association's nomination was submitted by a Paris-based communications company specialising in African communication systems and landscapes.
The award jury acknowledged APRA's 50-year legacy, highlighting its vision and resilience in building a continental professional body with a presence across Africa. APRA's efforts to bring practitioners together to reflect on the present and future of public relations were also commended.
Michel Russel Lohore, Chief Executive Officer of ASCOM, praised APRA for its longstanding role in strengthening collaboration among public relations professionals across African countries. He emphasised the importance of accountable public relations and strategic communication in Africa's development.
Dr Omoniyi Ibietan, APRA Secretary General, received the award on behalf of APRA President, Arik Karani. He expressed gratitude to ASCOM, the award jury, and the nominators for the recognition, saying the award affirmed APRA's five-decade contribution to the profession and its commitment to strengthening public relations practice across the continent.
Dr Ibietan stated that the award reinforced APRA's responsibility to ensure that it remains a platform for professional collaboration, knowledge exchange, and ethical practice. He also acknowledged the generations of public relations practitioners who have contributed to building APRA and advancing the profession across Africa.
The Africa PR Legacy Award comes as APRA begins the next chapter of its 50-year journey, reaffirming its commitment to collaboration with governments, professional bodies, partners, and communication practitioners across Africa. This recognition is expected to further strengthen APRA's role in promoting public relations and strategic communication on the continent.
Key points
- APRA's 50-year legacy and sustained commitment to professional unity and standardisation earned it the Africa PR Legacy Award.
- The award was presented at the 2026 ASCOM Communication Summit and Awards in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
- APRA is the first organisation to receive the Africa PR Legacy Award.
