Business 13 June 2026 Nile Post
APRA and Node Group Partner to Train 10,000 African Communications Professionals
The African Public Relations Association (APRA) and Node Group have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide free, virtual training to 10,000 communications professionals across Africa over five years through the PR Fundi Masterclass program. Source: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/348483/continental-pr-association-node-group-sign-mou-to-upskill-10000-communications-professionals-across-africa
The African Public Relations Association (APRA) and Node Group have joined forces in a significant initiative to enhance the skills of communications professionals continent-wide. A newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlines a commitment to train 10,000 individuals through the PR Fundi Masterclass program over the next five years, with an ambitious target of 2,400 participants in the first year.
This partnership aims to dismantle barriers to professional development, making high-quality training accessible to practitioners at all career levels. The program will feature monthly masterclasses, led by APRA in sourcing facilitators, that delve into current trends and best practices in public relations and strategic communication. Node Group’s CEO, Ian Rumanyika, emphasized that the decision to offer the masterclass series entirely free is rooted in the principle of inclusivity, ensuring “cost cannot be a barrier.”
The initiative addresses a critical gap in Africa’s rapidly growing PR industry. According to APRA’s 2025 State of the African PR Industry Report, a significant majority of communications professionals (66%) lack formal qualifications in the field, often transitioning from related disciplines like journalism and marketing. Furthermore, 61% of professionals in Sub-Saharan Africa have not accessed structured professional development in the last three years, primarily due to cost and logistical challenges.
APRA President Arik Karani highlighted the program’s broad relevance, stating that “a government press secretary in Lusaka, a nonprofit communications officer in Accra… and a senior corporate affairs director in Lagos will all find topics directly relevant to their work.” This venture represents APRA’s largest free skilling program to date and is poised to create lasting structural change by elevating professional standards in communication across the continent.