The International Association of Business Communicators Africa Region (IABC Africa) has partnered with the African Union (AU) and the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) to host the 2026 IABC Africa Conference, a move aimed at strengthening strategic communication in advancing Africa’s development agenda.
The conference, scheduled for October 21–23, 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa, will bring together communication professionals, policymakers, business leaders, academics and development actors from across the continent.
Organisers say the partnership brings together two influential pan-African institutions with a shared ambition of using effective communication to shape Africa’s narrative, build trust and accelerate development.
The 2026 IABC Africa Conference is expected to become a key platform for discussions on how communication can support Africa’s transformation at a time when the continent is undergoing rapid economic, technological and social change.
Participants will explore emerging trends in strategic communication, including the role of artificial intelligence, digital platforms and evolving stakeholder expectations in shaping public trust and institutional credibility.
Dr Adeyemi Opeyemi, Chairperson of IABC Africa, said the partnership demonstrates the growing importance of communication in driving Africa’s future.
“This partnership highlights the crucial role of communication in shaping Africa’s future. Working with the AU and AUDA-NEPAD strengthens the link between policy, development and the professionals in the public and private sectors telling Africa’s story with clarity and credibility,” he said.
AUDA-NEPAD Head of Communications and Advocacy Zipporah Maubane said achieving the ambitions of Agenda 2063 requires deliberate and strategic communication to create shared understanding and mobilise collective action.
“Achieving the ambitions of Agenda 2063 is a shared responsibility and strategic communication is fundamental to building a shared understanding, strengthening trust and mobilising collective action,” Maubane said.
She added that the partnership will provide an opportunity for communication professionals across Africa to explore ways of ensuring the continent’s innovations, progress and development stories reach both African and global audiences.
The African Union and AUDA-NEPAD will contribute to the conference through keynote addresses, high-level discussions and thematic sessions focusing on key priorities under Agenda 2063.
The discussions will cover areas such as youth development, climate resilience, digital transformation and strengthening health systems across the continent.
The conference will be the first major regional IABC Africa gathering of its kind in more than a decade, reinforcing the organisation’s efforts to raise professional standards in strategic communication.
Organisers say the event comes at a critical moment when communication professionals must adapt to rapid technological changes while maintaining ethical standards and credibility in an increasingly complex information environment.
Through the conference, IABC Africa hopes to equip practitioners with globally relevant skills and strengthen their role in shaping Africa’s development story.
