The African Public Relations Association (APRA) has become the first organisation to receive the Africa PR Legacy Award, in recognition of its 50-year contribution to building and professionalising public relations across the continent.
The award was presented to APRA at the 2026 ASCOM Communication Summit and Awards on the 17th of September, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. APRA’s nomination was submitted by a Paris-based communications firm specialising in African communication systems and landscapes.
In its citation, the ASCOM jury highlighted APRA’s “50-year legacy and sustained commitment to professional unity, standardisation, collaboration and continuous dialogue within the public relations profession across Africa.” The association was commended for its vision and resilience in establishing a continental professional body with a presence in multiple African countries, and for consistently convening practitioners to reflect on the present and future of public relations.
ASCOM, a global network of strategic communications consultancies, said APRA has played a long-term role in strengthening cooperation among professionals from different African countries. Michel-Russell Lohoré, ASCOM’s chief executive, noted that promoting responsible public relations practice and strategic communication is a key component of Africa’s broader development agenda.
Receiving the award on behalf of APRA President Arik Karani and Secretary General Omoniyi Ibietan, an APRA representative expressed gratitude to ASCOM, the jury and the nominators. The award was described as confirmation of APRA’s contribution to the development of the profession and a reaffirmation of its commitment to professional cooperation, knowledge exchange and ethical practice in public relations across Africa.
For APRA, the inaugural Africa PR Legacy Award underscores its role as the continent’s umbrella body for public relations and strategic communication, while setting a benchmark for the impact expected from future recipients of the honour.
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