The World Communications Forum Association successfully hosted its first-ever Africa Communications Summit on November 24, 2023. Drawing the attention of more than 300 registered PR professionals and business leaders from across Africa, the virtual event provided a platform for insightful discussions on the crucial role of communication in shaping a sustainable future for the continent. Everyone can watch the video recording here.

The summit focused on the theme “Communications as a Game Changer in the Sustainability Agenda of Africa”, emphasizing the need for effective communication in driving sustainable development.

In his opening speech, Paul Kepeuls, Director of Synergy Global Consulting Ltd., shared his perspective on Africa's positive transformation, stating, “In my 50-year career, I've witnessed Africa shift from a lost and hopeless narrative to a continent of hope and opportunity.”

Keynote speaker Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, President of the African Public Relations Association (APRA) and Group Managing Director at CMC Connect, highlighted the crucial role of communication in addressing environmental conservation and economic resilience. He asserted that communication is a game changer, shaping narratives, fostering collaboration, and inspiring collective action.

Peter Mutie, CEO of Peterson Integrated Communications Ltd and Chair of the Africa Regional Council for Global Alliance for PR and Communication Management, explored the connection between communications and sustainability in his presentation.

Charmane Russell, Communications and Sustainability Consultant, and Managing Director at R&A Strategic Communications, also a keynote speaker, emphasized Africa's vulnerability to climate change and its low adaptive capacity. She said: “Africa will be more impacted by climate change, than any other parts of the world, although it contributes the least to it. In September this year the World Meteorological Society confirmed that Africa has this high exposure and is fragile and has low-adaptive capacity.”

The Africa Communications Summit 2023 featured two panel discussions on “Communication as a Lever for Societal Inclusion to Enable a Just Transition” and “Effective Leadership Communication and Using Communication as a Tool for Accountability in the Sustainability Agenda”. The panelists included prominent figures such as Dr. Clarissa Muir, Dr. Pauline Kuranchie, Stella Kiguta-Ng'ang'a, Dr. Faith Rapuleng-Tuelo, Janine Hills, Kobi Hemaa Osisiadan-Bekoe, and Halim Abou Seif.

The event was moderated by Thabisile Phumo, the Summit's Coordinator and WCFA Executive Committee member, and Lebo Madiba, Founder & Managing Director of PR Powerhouse.

WCFA President Maxim Behar concluded the event by sharing exciting plans for the organization's future, outlining upcoming events for the next year, and expressing aspirations to build a thriving community of professionals in the PR industry and the broader communications sector.