Kenya
East Africa Public Relations Week 2026 to Bring Regional Communication Leaders to Malindi: The East Africa Public Relations Week (EAPRW) 2026 is set to bring together public relations and communication professionals, policymakers, academics and industry leaders from across the region for five days of discussion, learning and networking in Malindi, Kilifi County, Kenya, from November 2–6, 2026.
Organised by the Public Relations Society of Kenya (PRSK) in collaboration with regional public relations bodies, the event is being positioned as an important platform for examining the future of public relations and strategic communication in East Africa.
The 2026 edition carries the theme “Reimagining Communication in East Africa,” with organisers inviting communication professionals, scholars, researchers and thought leaders to contribute ideas that can influence professional practice, policy and the wider communications industry.
Regional Communication Community to Convene
According to PRSK, EAPRW 2026 will bring together professionals from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, creating a regional forum for conversations around communication, reputation, narratives and the evolving role of public relations.
The event is also being promoted as the 5th East Africa PR Week and the 21st PRSK Annual Summit.
Reimagining East Africa’s Narrative
The theme reflects growing attention to how East Africa communicates its stories and positions itself in an increasingly connected global environment.
PRSK has described the gathering as an opportunity to challenge existing narratives, exchange ideas and explore new directions for the communications profession across the region.
The organisation’s call for papers specifically highlighted the potential for participants to contribute ideas capable of shaping practice, policy and industry direction across East Africa.
Communication, Technology and Professional Development
The conference comes at a period of significant change for the communications profession, with artificial intelligence, digital platforms, misinformation, changing media consumption and evolving stakeholder expectations transforming the work of PR professionals.
PRSK has also been working with the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) on efforts to standardise public relations and communications qualifications under Kenya’s National Qualifications Framework. Discussions have included the impact of AI and emerging technologies on professional practice.
The organisation has invited KNQA representatives to participate in EAPRW 2026, further connecting the conference with discussions about professional standards and the future of communication careers.
Building on Earlier East Africa PR Week
EAPRW has its roots in the inaugural East Africa PR Week held in Mombasa in November 2022 during PRSK’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
That first edition brought together communication practitioners from seven countries and focused on sustainability and communication, including ESG, shared value, corporate sustainability and the role of communication in advancing sustainable development.
The East Africa Public Relations Association’s constitution provides for East Africa Public Relations Week to be held rotationally among member states, highlighting its regional character.
Five Days of Ideas and Connections
For 2026, organisers are promoting Malindi as a meeting point for East Africa’s communications community, combining professional learning with networking and opportunities to build relationships across national markets.
PRSK says the programme will provide five days of ideas, knowledge-sharing and connections extending beyond Malindi and into the wider regional communications community.
As East Africa’s PR and communications sector continues to evolve, EAPRW 2026 is expected to provide a platform for practitioners and institutions to examine how strategic communication can adapt to technological, social and economic changes while helping shape the region’s narratives for local and international audiences.
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