Category Archives: Africa Newsroom

APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), the pan-African communications consultancy integrating advisory, execution, and proprietary news distribution, today was named the winner of a Gold Stevie® Award in the Most Innovative Public Relations Agency of the Year category in the seventh annual Middle East&North Africa Stevie Awards, sponsored by the RAK Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The Middle East&North Africa Stevie Awards are the only business awards programme to recognise innovation in the workplace in 18 nations in the Middle East and North Africa.  The Stevie Awards are widely considered to be the world’s premier business awards, conferring recognition for achievement in programmes such as The International Business Awards® for 24 years.

More than 1,400 nominations from organisations across the Middle East and North Africa were considered this year in categories such as Award for Excellence in Innovation in Products&Services, Award for Innovative Management, and Award for Innovation in Corporate Websites, among many others.  APO Group won in the Most Innovative Public Relations Agency of the Year category.

APO Group’s winning submission presented a body of work spanning major international brands, humanitarian organisations, and global technology and business investment platforms, collectively generating over USD1.2 billion in PR value, more than 1,500 media features and interviews, and over 20 million social media impressions. Together, these results reflect a communications model built on integration: strategy, on-ground PR, and guaranteed visibility operating as one high-impact system.

These campaigns, executed for organisations such as Africa’s Business Heroes, Canon, Mercy Ships, The Basketball Africa League (BAL), GITEX Africa, and the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI), demonstrate APO Group’s ability to operate at scale across sectors and markets, delivering innovative strategic communication with measurable results.

“This award recognises something specific: a communications model that treats consultancy, execution, and distribution as one system rather than three separate disciplines. The MENA Stevie® Awards reflect APO Group’s commitment to delivering PR and communications strategies that match the realities of operating across Africa,” said Bas Wijne, Chief Executive Officer at APO Group. “Effective pan-African work requires deep knowledge of how individual markets function, how media ecosystems differ, and how audiences in each context connect with a narrative. We’re proud to help African and MENA organisations engage with impact across one of the world’s most complex and rewarding media landscapes.”

Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award winners were determined by the average scores of more than 150 executives around the world acting as judges on six juries.

“We are delighted to recognise the achievements of such a diverse group of organisations across the MENA region in the 2026 edition of the Middle East&North Africa Stevie Awards,” said Stevie Awards president Maggie Miller.  “We look forward to celebrating Stevie winners during our gala event on 11 September at the InterContinental Hotel, Istanbul, Türkiye.  The quality of nominations received this year was exceptional. The programme has grown every year, showing the vast amount of innovation in the MENA region.”

APO Group has received multiple major industry honours over the past year, including consecutive Gold Sabre Awards and Gold at the Davos Communications Awards for excellence in strategic communications and campaign execution. The company was also named Africa’s Leading PR Agency – 2025 by Brands Review Magazine and Best Public Relations&Media Consultancy Agency of the Year – 2025 by World Business Outlook.

Operating across 54 African countries, APO Group provides communications advisory services, public relations, and media distribution through its proprietary newswire, Africa Newsroom, which places content on more than 250 Africa-focused news platforms worldwide.

This latest accolade adds to APO Group’s growing record at these prestigious awards. In 2025, Rania El-Rafie, Vice President, Public Relations and Strategic Communications, was awarded a Bronze Stevie® Award in the ‘Most Innovative Woman of the Year’ category. El Rafie also chaired the Public Sector&Thought Leadership Awards Judging Committee at this year’s competition.

Details about the Middle East&North Africa Stevie Awards and the list of Stevie Award winners are available at https://MENA.StevieAwards.com.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.

Contact: 
marie@apo-opa.com

About APO Group:
APO Group guarantees visibility across all 54 African markets through one integrated PR and communications model. Combining strategic advisory, on-the-ground execution, crisis and reputation management, and proprietary press distribution through its newswire, APO Group operates as Africa’s only fully integrated communications consultancy.

Its platform secures placement on 250+ Africa-focused news sites and connects organisations directly with journalists, analysts, investors, and policymakers worldwide. Operating continent-wide, APO Group delivers the scale, consistency, and control required to shape reputation across Africa.

Recognised internationally for excellence in PR and media strategy, including SABRE Awards and Davos Communications Awards, APO Group supports organisations driving growth and influence across the continent.

About the Stevie® Awards:
Stevie Awards are conferred in nine programs: The American Business Awards®, the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East&North Africa Stevie Awards, The International Business Awards®, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Sales&Customer Service, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business and the Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide.

Learn more about the Stevie Awards at www.StevieAwards.com.

About the RAK Chamber of Commerce and Industry:
RAK Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RAK Chamber) is the second chamber of commerce commissioned in the United Arab Emirates.  Incorporated on 22 October 1967, RAK Chamber adopts the spirit of innovation and creativity, strong leadership and initiative to support and develop business sectors to achieve excellence and become pioneers, focusing on clients, investors and business by meeting their needs and offering them added value. The chamber is keen to create and develop a system of sustainable enterprise relations, and it also works to provide a business environment and practices that enhance the culture of group work by working in a spirit of a unified team – along with responding to internal and external changes by providing information, data, procedures and laws for all concerned categories. This is in order to achieve transparency and credibility and to create a business-motivating environment so as to promote the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah as an economic hub in the United Arab Emirates. 

Learn more at www.RakChamber.ae. 

APO Group (https://APO-opa.com), the pan-African communications consultancy integrating advisory, execution, and proprietary news distribution, has announced the promotion of Loanette Boshoff to Chief People Officer.

As strategic communications advisors to top-tier clients, APO Group’s exceptional talent base is characterised by local fluency and cultural insight built from almost two decades of operating in African markets. This reflects the company’s deliberate focus on people and culture as a business priority. Boshoff will ensure that APO Group continues to attract exceptional talent, develop leadership capability, and maintain the high-performance culture that underpins its client service.

Commenting on the appointment, Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, Founder and Chairman of APO Group, said: “Sustained growth requires structured talent development. Loanette has provided insightful senior counsel to APO Group and has played a decisive role in shaping our teams and our culture. Her promotion shows the importance we place on ensuring clear standards, measurable performance, and consistency across every market.”

Boshoff joined APO Group in 2019 and led the establishment of a distributed, multinational team working across Africa and internationally. She built the leadership frameworks, performance standards, and talent systems that have enabled APO Group to scale rapidly while maintaining excellence. Under her people-centred leadership, the organisation has grown into a diverse and high-performing team representing dozens of nationalities and operating across 54 African markets.

Her earlier career spans over 20 years in global talent management across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, North America, and Asia. She has supported multinational organisations, start-ups, and high-growth enterprises, and co-founded consultancy ventures providing strategic HR and advisory services.

“High performance must be built deliberately,” said Boshoff. “In a remote organisation operating across Africa and beyond, clarity matters. Standards matter. Leadership alignment matters. My focus is simple: ensure our systems enable measurable results for both our people and our clients, and further integrate people strategy with business execution and long-term sustainability.”

By embedding robust internal growth mechanisms, APO Group is ensuring that its pan-African workforce is equipped to deliver on its objective of being a trusted communications partner for organisations across the continent and beyond.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.

Media Contact:
marie@apo-opa.com 

About APO Group:
Founded in 2007 by Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, APO Group is the communications consultancy built for performance – combining strategic advisory, on-the-ground execution, and guaranteed visibility across every African market.

Recognised with multiple international awards, including SABRE, Davos Communications, and World Business Outlook distinctions, APO Group partners with global and African organisations to deliver communications that perform – through strategy, execution, and measurable visibility.

Our founder’s advisory roles with international institutions strengthen APO Group’s access to decision-makers and reinforce our role as the continent’s most connected communications consultancy. Clients include Canon, Emirates, Nestlé, NFL, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Afreximbank, the African Development Bank Group, GITEX Global, Royal African Society, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), the pan-African communications consultancy integrating advisory, execution, and proprietary news distribution, has won gold in the Northern Africa category at the 2026 Africa SABRE Awards for its campaign, GITEX Africa Morocco 2025: A Media-Fuelled Journey for Tech Excellence.

Delivered for GITEX Africa, the campaign generated more than 3,600 media clippings across African and global outlets, positioning the event as the continent’s leading technology and startup platform, while reinforcing Morocco’s emerging status as a regional technology hub.

APO Group was a finalist in two additional categories for campaigns delivered for international organisations operating across Africa:

• The Africa Flag 2025 Tournament: Raising the Game in Cairo – National Football League (Media Relations category)
• Broadcasting Greatness: Elevating African Hoops and Culture at BAL 2025 – Basketball Africa League (BAL) (Media, Arts&Entertainment category)

The SABRE Awards recognise excellence in branding, reputation management, and engagement across the global communications industry. This latest accolade adds to APO Group’s growing record at these prestigious awards, following its win in 2025 for a campaign delivered for Canon Central and North Africa, as well as multiple finalist placements for campaigns supporting leading institutions such as GITEX Africa, Africa’s Business Heroes, and the Global Africa Business Initiative.

“Being honoured at the SABRE Awards is particularly meaningful because it reflects the impact of communication designed specifically for how African markets work,” said Bas Wijne, Chief Executive Officer at APO Group. “Successful pan-African campaigns combine strategic planning and strong local execution, together with a clear understanding of how different markets, media environments, and audiences connect with a story. It’s about designing communications that deliver measurable outcomes and help organisations engage effectively and confidently across Africa’s diverse media landscape.”

In addition to its SABRE Awards success, APO Group has received multiple major industry honours over the past year, including Gold and Bronze at the Davos Communications Awards for excellence in strategic communications and campaign execution. The company was also named Africa’s Leading PR Agency – 2025 by Brands Review Magazine and Best Public Relations&Media Consultancy Agency of the Year – 2025 by World Business Outlook.Operating across 54 African countries, APO Group provides communications advisory services, public relations, and media distribution through its proprietary newswire, Africa Newsroom, which places content on more than 250 Africa-focused news platforms worldwide.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.

Media Contact: 
marie@apo-opa.com  

About APO Group: 
APO Group guarantees visibility across all 54 African markets through one integrated PR and communications model. Combining strategic advisory, on-the-ground execution, crisis and reputation management, and proprietary press distribution through its owned Africa Newsroom newswire, APO Group operates as Africa’s only fully integrated communications infrastructure.

Its platform secures placement on 250+ Africa-focused news sites and connects organisations directly with journalists, analysts, investors, and policymakers worldwide. Operating continent-wide, APO Group delivers the scale, consistency, and control required to shape reputation across Africa.

Recognised internationally for excellence in PR and media strategy, including SABRE Awards and Davos Communications Awards, APO Group supports organisations driving growth and influence across the continent. 

APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), the leading multi-award-winning, pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service, has been recognised at the 2025 Global Brand Awards (https://apo-opa.co/4rPq9BP) for delivering communications at a continental scale – ensuring impact, trust, and consistency across multiple markets and institutions.

APO Group received two honours: Excellence in PR&Strategic Communications, and Most Influential Media Campaign.

The Global Brand Awards celebrate organisations demonstrating leadership, innovation, and measurable impact across international markets.

“These awards recognise the scale and scope of the work we deliver across Africa. Our clients rely on communications that deliver tangible results across markets and institutions. By combining senior advisory, local execution, and guaranteed visibility, APO Group provides a single accountable system that delivers excellence every time. I’m proud of the expertise and discipline our teams bring to that standard,” said Bas Wijne CEO of APO Group.

The Excellence in PR&Strategic Communications award recognises APO Group’s integrated approach, aligning strategy, execution, and distribution across 54 African markets.

The Most Influential Media Campaign award highlights APO Group’s work on Unstoppable Africa 2025, delivered for the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI). GABI is a year-round platform reshaping Africa’s business, investment, and innovation narrative on the global stage, with its flagship event, Unstoppable Africa, held alongside the UN General Assembly in New York and online. The Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) is convened by the United Nations Global Compact in partnership with the African Union Commission.

APO Group led the strategic communications for the campaign, coordinating narrative development, media engagement, and cross-market execution across PR and digital channels, driving broad participation and meaningful impact.

The recognition builds on a strong year of international industry success, including Gold at the 2025 SABRE Awards, Gold and Bronze at the Davos Communications Awards, and multiple distinctions for strategy-led, results-driven communications.

With a client portfolio spanning governments, multinational corporations, and institutions, APO Group continues to define the standard for performance-led communications across Africa.

To learn more about APO Group’s award-winning work and services, visit www.APO-opa.com or check the official awards announcement (https://apo-opa.co/4rPq9BP). 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.

Media Contact: 
marie@apo-opa.com  

About APO Group:
Founded in 2007 by Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, APO Group is the communications consultancy built for performance – combining strategic advisory, on-the-ground execution, and guaranteed visibility across every African market. 

Recognised with multiple international awards, including SABRE, Davos Communications, and World Business Outlook distinctions, APO Group partners with global and African organisations to deliver communications that perform – through strategy, execution, and measurable visibility. 

Our founder’s advisory roles with international institutions strengthen APO Group’s access to decision-makers and reinforce our role as the continent’s most connected communications consultancy. Clients include Canon, Emirates, Nestlé, NFL, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Afreximbank, the African Development Bank Group, GITEX Global, Royal African Society, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). 

APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), the leading multi-award-winning, pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service, has announced the appointment of Rania El Rafie, Vice President of  Public Relations&Strategic Communications, as Chair of the Public Sector&Thought Leadership Awards Judging Committee for the Middle East&North Africa Stevie® Awards.

The Middle East&North Africa Stevie® Awards (https://apo-opa.co/4rNgXy4) are among the world’s most respected business awards, recognising innovation, leadership, and impact across sectors within the MENA region.  

As Chair, Rania personally selected a judging committee comprising senior leaders with deep expertise across corporate communications, government relations, commercial strategy, and multinational operations. Together, the panel brings a combination of regional insight and global perspective, shaped by hands-on experience navigating complex environments and culturally nuanced markets. The judging committee comprises:

• Mai Youssef, Corporate Communications&Marketing Services Director at Canon Middle East&Central and North Africa
• Sean Muir, Director of Public Relations for the GITEX Portfolio at Dubai World Trade Centre
• Laila Bastati, Chief Commercial Officer at APO Group
• Mohamed Elwagih, Group Corporate Communications Manager at Mantrac Group

Commenting on her appointment, El Rafie said: “Chairing a Stevie® Awards judging committee is a professional honour – for myself and for APO Group. Effective communication programmes must navigate trust, accountability, and measurable impact. In assembling this committee, it was important to bring together leaders who understand the complexity of operating across diverse markets and stakeholder groups, while upholding the highest international standards for submissions. I look forward to working with them to identify the region’s success stories.”

With more than 22 years’ experience across multiple markets and sectors, Cairo-based El Rafie has led high-impact, award-winning communications programmes for clients such as Emirates, Canon, Nestlé, TikTok, Marriott, Afreximbank, GITEX, MSD, and Western Union. In 2024, she became APO Group’s first internally appointed Vice President. In 2025, she was named Most Innovative Woman of the Year at the Stevie® Awards and recognised among Africa’s Top 50 Outstanding Women in Communications.

El Rafie’s appointment speaks to her standing as one of the region’s most respected communications leaders, and to APO Group’s depth of experience advising high-profile clients across multiple countries and sectors.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.

Media Contact:
marie@apo-opa.com 

About APO Group:
Founded in 2007 by Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, APO Group is the communications consultancy built for performance – combining strategic advisory, on-the-ground execution, and guaranteed visibility across every African market.

Recognised with multiple international awards, including SABRE, Davos Communications, and World Business Outlook distinctions, APO Group partners with global and African organisations to deliver communications that perform – through strategy, execution, and measurable visibility.

Our founder’s advisory roles with international institutions strengthen APO Group’s access to decision-makers and reinforce our role as the continent’s most connected communications consultancy. Clients include Canon, Emirates, Nestlé, NFL, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Afreximbank, the African Development Bank Group, GITEX Global, Royal African Society, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), the leading multi-award-winning, pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service, is pleased to announce the promotion of João Marques to Executive Director, Strategic Advisory. The appointment, effective 1 December 2025, reflects APO Group’s commitment to strengthening its strategic advisory capabilities for clients across Africa and around the world.

João, who previously served as Director of Strategy, brings more than 15 years of experience in international strategy, corporate positioning, and high-level advisory support. Since joining APO Group, he has led the company’s Strategy Division, advancing its narrative design frameworks, thought-leadership programmes, and executive advisory offerings for governments, global corporates, and development institutions.

A multilingual strategist fluent in English, Portuguese, French, and Spanish, João has worked across Africa, Europe, Asia, and Latin America, advising organisations such as the United Nations Global Compact, Nestlé, Emirates, Canon, NBA Africa, and Afreximbank. His expertise blends strategic consulting with creative storytelling, helping clients articulate policy and business priorities with clarity, credibility, and global resonance. João is also a published author and a recognised speaker and moderator, bringing deep expertise in geopolitical and sectoral issues to senior leaders navigating Africa’s communications landscape.

In his new role as Executive Director, Strategic Advisory, João will oversee APO Group’s strategic consulting portfolio, expand C-suite advisory services, and strengthen the company’s positioning as a trusted partner for organisations seeking to enhance reputation, influence, and impact across Africa’s key markets.  He will also lead the development of strategic pathways for high-growth industries and deepen APO Group’s ability to convert advisory work into long-term commercial value.

Bas Wijne, CEO of APO Group, said, “João has been a driving force in elevating our strategic advisory practice and strengthening our value proposition to businesses across the continent and beyond. His appointment as Executive Director is a natural evolution of his contributions to APO Group’s growth, reputation, and strategic direction. I look forward to working even more closely with him as we continue to expand our advisory capabilities and deliver world-class strategic counsel to our clients.”

“Africa’s communications landscape is transforming, and organisations across the continent need partners who can help them articulate ambition, build trust, and shape narratives with long-term impact. I am proud to take on this role at a moment when APO Group is expanding its strategic advisory footprint, and I look forward to contributing to work that strengthens African institutions, industries, and ideas,” added João.

João also serves as a strategic advisor to various international initiatives that support innovation and sustainable development in emerging markets, further reinforcing APO Group’s commitment to driving positive impact across Africa.

With this appointment, APO Group continues to invest in top-tier strategic talent and strengthen its leadership in the African communications and advisory landscape.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.

Media contact: 
marie@apo-opa.com 

About APO Group: 
Founded in 2007, APO Group (www.APO-opa.com) is the leading award-winning pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service. Renowned for our deep-rooted African expertise and expansive global perspective, we specialise in elevating the reputation and brand equity of private and public organisations across Africa. As a trusted partner, our mission is to harness the power of media, crafting bespoke strategies that drive tangible, measurable impact both on the continent and globally.   

Our commitment to excellence and innovation has been recognised with multiple prestigious awards, including a PRovoke Media Global SABRE Award and multiple PRovoke Media Africa SABRE Awards. In 2023, we were named the Leading Public Relations Firm Africa and the Leading Pan-African Communications Consultancy Africa in the World Business Outlook Awards, and the Best Public Relations and Media Consultancy of the Year South Africa in 2024 in the same awards. In 2025, Brands Review Magazine acknowledged us as the Leading Communications Consultancy in Africa for the second consecutive year. They also named us the Best PR Agency and the Leading Press Release Distribution Platform in Africa in 2024. Additionally, in 2025, we were honoured with the Gold distinction for Best PR Campaign and Bronze in the Special Event category at the Davos Communications Awards. 

APO Group’s esteemed clientele, which includes global giants such as Canon, Nestlé, Western Union, the UNDP, Network International, African Energy Chamber, Mercy Ships, Marriott, Africa’s Business Heroes, and Liquid Intelligent Technologies, reflects our unparalleled ability to navigate the complex African media landscape. With a multicultural team across Africa, we offer unmatched, truly pan-African insights, expertise, and reach across the continent. APO Group is dedicated to reshaping narratives about Africa, challenging stereotypes, and bringing inspiring African stories to global audiences, with our expertise in developing and supporting public relations campaigns worldwide uniquely positioning us to amplify brand messaging, enhance reputations, and connect effectively with target audiences.  

By Malika Bouayad, Group Account Director, Public Relations&Strategic Communications, APO Group (https://APO-opa.com)

Online press conferences – or OPCs — have become routine across Africa. Governments, multinationals, DFIs, and listed companies use them to deliver speed, access and reach across markets.

What has changed is not their prevalence but their function.

Today, an OPC is less a platform for information-sharing than a live test of institutional confidence – conducted in public, under pressure, and judged less on what is said than on how an organisation behaves when control loosens.

What journalists are really watching

Journalists don’t join OPCs simply to hear prepared remarks. They attend to observe how an organisation responds when questioning escalates.

They notice hesitation.
They track how follow-ups are handled or deferred.
They assess whether responses feel coordinated or internally negotiated.

These signals shape how reporting unfolds long after the session ends. Organisations that appear coherent and assured are treated differently from those that appear cautious, fragmented or defensive.

This scrutiny is particularly pronounced in multi-market African contexts, where regulatory pressure, political sensitivity and uneven access to information intersect. A question that appears technical may carry implications across jurisdictions. A pause intended to be responsible can be read as evasion.

Once the OPC begins, there’s no private margin for error.

Why OPCs expose more than messaging

Most OPC failures are not technical. The platform works. The speakers arrive. The agenda is followed. What falters is decision confidence.

OPCs surface assumptions organisations often make about access, responsibility and escalation – assumptions that may hold internally but unravel in live environments.

Who’s authorised to answer follow-up questions if new information emerges?
Who decides whether a line of questioning should be closed or pursued?
Who has the mandate to intervene if legal, reputational and operational priorities collide?

Too often, these decisions are assumed rather than designed, and the gap becomes visible quickly.

OPCs sit on the critical path of reputation

OPCs are not neutral containers. They’re live by default; attended by journalists publishing in real time; recorded, clipped and redistributed immediately; and accessed across borders, time zones and editorial contexts. This means design choices become reputational choices.

An OPC that appears controlled but inflexible raises different concerns from one that appears responsive but disorganised. In both cases, journalists draw conclusions not only about the issue at hand, but about the institution behind it.

This is why, in practice, OPCs demand far more than technical execution. They require governance, media judgement, and active stewardship of how information moves across markets.

Five judgements that separate stable OPCs from fragile ones

This isn’t about tools or formats. It’s about governance under pressure.

1. Access must be designed, not assumed
Open access is not inherently inclusive. Controlled registration protects the integrity of the briefing without limiting legitimate media participation.

2. Responsibility must be explicit
An OPC is not one task. Moderation, access control, technical oversight and decision authority must be clearly owned. When roles blur, response slows precisely when speed matters.

3. Preparation is about failure, not polish
Dry runs expose handover gaps, translation delays, escalation blind spots and decision bottlenecks. In pan-regional OPCs, preparation is risk mitigation.

4. Escalation must be agreed before it’s needed
Live environments do not allow for internal debate. Effective OPCs define in advance who can intervene, pause proceedings or redirect if the briefing is compromised.

5. Distribution is part of the event
An OPC disconnected from press release publishing, newsroom access and post-event assets fragments interpretation and weakens impact.

Beyond rehearsals: why design drills matter

Among the organisations APO Group consults with, the most effective OPCs are marked by a shift away from traditional rehearsals and towards design drills.

Rehearsals focus on logistics: speakers, timing, slides and links. Design drills focus on decision authority. In practice, this means stress-testing realistic scenarios where information is incomplete, questions escalate unexpectedly, or legal, reputational and operational priorities collide. The aim is to identify where authority is unclear – before that uncertainty plays out in public.

This approach builds institutional confidence, not just presentational polish.

Pan-African OPCs in practice

APO Group’s OPC work creates the unmatched opportunity to assemble key journalists from across the continent in one setting. Spanning the full lifecycle of a virtual media event, our team develops the brief, secures panellists, manages registrations, coordinates media outreach across markets, and runs the live technical environment – including moderation, Q&A management, and recording.

The differentiator is how these elements are orchestrated to protect credibility under scrutiny.

In Somalia, for example, APO Group supported TikTok’s #SaferTogether digital safety campaign by mapping a high-risk media landscape, working with the Somalia Journalists Association, managing live Q&A, and supporting post-event coverage – resulting in strong qualitative engagement and sustained media dialogue.

In West Africa, a bilingual OPC for Nestlé Maggi combined English and French media participation, same-day execution, and integrated post-event distribution to drive both visibility and measurable commercial outcomes across multiple markets.

In Guinea, OPC activity formed part of a broader launch strategy for Mercy Ships’ dental education initiative, combining live and on-ground media engagement to position the programme as a regional healthcare milestone.

Across these contexts, the common factor is discipline: how access is controlled, how authority is exercised, and how narratives are guided once the session ends.

What strong organisations are doing differently in 2026

OPCs will continue to grow because they solve a real operational problem: speed, access and scale across markets. But the organisations getting real value from them are treating OPCs less like isolated events and more like repeatable systems.

They design the briefing for the way journalism actually works – anticipating what will be quoted, clipped, shared and reframed across markets before the first question is asked.

They also plan for what happens after the session ends: coordinated press release publishing, newsroom-ready assets, rapid turnaround of quotes and cut-downs, and distribution pathways that reduce fragmentation and prevent parallel narratives from forming.

This is the shift that matters.

An OPC that runs smoothly in the room but produces confusion in the replay is not a briefing. It is a missed opportunity.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.

Media Contact:
marie@apo-opa.com 

About APO Group:
Founded in 2007 by Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, APO Group is the communications consultancy built for performance – combining strategic advisory, on-the-ground execution, and guaranteed visibility across every African market.

Recognised with multiple international awards, including SABRE, Davos Communications, and World Business Outlook distinctions, APO Group partners with global and African organisations to deliver communications that perform – through strategy, execution, and measurable visibility. Our founder’s advisory roles with international institutions strengthen APO Group’s access to decision-makers and reinforce our role as the continent’s most connected communications consultancy. Clients include Canon, Emirates, Nestlé, NFL, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Afreximbank, the African Development Bank Group, GITEX Global, Royal African Society, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), the leading multi-award-winning, pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service, has announced a strategic content partnership with Nigeria-based sustainability communications consultancy, PRO ALLY (https://apo-opa.co/45CWNOE).

PRO ALLY specialises in ESG compliance assessment and implementation, brand sustainability communication, stakeholder engagement, and ESG capacity development. Through this partnership, APO Group will collaborate with PRO ALLY to share impactful, people-centred stories from Africa’s energy and extractives sectors, ensuring that critical narratives around sustainability, energy transition, and inclusive development reach broader African and global audiences.

At the centre of the agreement is Energy Stories, a PRO ALLY publication designed as an innovative publishing platform for energy professionals across Africa and beyond. The platform simplifies, demystifies, and humanises the oil and gas and broader energy sectors through powerful, accessible storytelling.

By joining APO Group’s partner ecosystem, which includes more than 300 media organisations across Africa and globally, PRO ALLY benefits from increased visibility facilitated by Africa’s leading press release distribution service, bringing the continent’s positive energy insights to local and international stakeholders.

“Too often, conversations around energy and sustainability are technical, exclusionary, or disconnected from the people doing the work on the ground,” said Tunbosun Afolayan, Managing Director at PRO ALLY. “Energy Stories changes that by creating a space where engineers, technicians, students, policy makers, and everyday professionals can share real experiences and insights in plain language. Partnering with APO Group allows these stories to travel further, with greater credibility and reach.”

The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to democratising knowledge and opportunity, particularly in sectors central to Africa’s economic development and a just energy transition. By combining PRO ALLY’s subject matter expertise and editorial focus with APO Group’s pan-African communications expertise and distribution network, the partnership is set to elevate the African voices shaping the future of energy and sustainability.

“As Africa navigates complex energy, climate, and development challenges, it’s important to share perspectives and real-life experiences that help to build understanding, trust, and informed dialogue. Partnering with PRO ALLY strengthens our vision of being the channel for Africa’s voices, supporting authentic, African-led narratives,” added Bas Wijne, Chief Executive Officer of APO Group.

This collaboration reinforces APO Group’s commitment to highlighting the many positive perspectives and successes to be found in sectors shaping the continent’s future, positioning the company as a strategic advisor to Africa’s industry leaders. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.

Media Contact:
marie@apo-opa.com 

About APO Group:
Founded in 2007 by Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, APO Group is the communications consultancy built for performance – combining strategic advisory, on-the-ground execution, and guaranteed visibility across every African market.

Recognised with multiple international awards, including SABRE, Davos Communications, and World Business Outlook distinctions, APO Group partners with global and African organisations to deliver communications that perform – through strategy, execution, and measurable visibility.

Our founder’s advisory roles with international institutions strengthen APO Group’s access to decision-makers and reinforce our role as the continent’s most connected communications consultancy. Clients include Canon, Emirates, Nestlé, NFL, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Afreximbank, the African Development Bank Group, GITEX Global, Royal African Society, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

About Energy Stories:
Energy Stories, A PRO ALLY Publication; people-focused; for energy and extractives professionals is a revolutionary, people-first publishing platform for energy professionals across Africa and beyond. It is a place to simplify, demystify, and humanize the oil and gas sector through powerful storytelling. This platform aligns with our core vision at PRO ALLY “To democratize opportunities and knowledge.” This is a stage for professional, engineers, technicians, utility workers, students, policy thinkers, and everyday professionals in the field to share real experiences, bold insights, and human stories in plain language. Visit us at https://apo-opa.co/45CWNOE

APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), the leading multi-award-winning pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service, is pleased to announce the promotion of Malika Bouayad to Group Account Director, in the company’s Public Relations&Strategic Communications division. This appointment, effective 1 December 2025, reflects APO Group’s commitment to developing strong African talent and enhancing its delivery of world-class communications support to clients across the continent and beyond.

Born and raised in Morocco, Malika brings close to a decade of experience in communications, marketing, and stakeholder engagement across diverse sectors. Fluent in English, Arabic, and French, she holds both a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane.

Since joining APO Group in 2022, Malika has played a pivotal role in delivering award-winning campaigns. She has spearheaded major media programmes for global events, including three consecutive editions of GITEX Global and GITEX Africa, managing African and international media with precision and excellence. She has also led local media engagement in Morocco for high-profile clients such as Basketball Africa League (BAL) and Canon and contributed to strategic communications work for organisations including APIX and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

In her new role, Malika will be responsible for both strategic client leadership and operational delivery excellence. She will lead high-level client engagements, oversee quality assurance and commercial alignment, and ensure that all client programmes are strategically aligned, operationally sound, resource-optimised, and delivered to the highest standard. She will also play a key role in streamlining delivery operations across the team.

Commenting on the promotion, APO Group CEO, Bas Wijne, said: “Malika embodies the professionalism, creativity, and strategic insight that define APO Group’s work across Africa. She has consistently delivered exceptional results for our clients and has become a trusted partner to senior leaders across the continent. Her promotion is a natural next step and a testament to her dedication, leadership, and passion for Africa’s development. We are proud to see her take on this expanded role and look forward to all she will achieve.”

“Joining APO Group almost four years ago and growing into the role of Group Account Director has shown me that our strength lies in our people, our purpose, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. This promotion is not mine alone – it reflects every mentor, colleague, and client who inspires us to push further. I’m energised to lead with integrity, empower our team, and to advance African stories with credibility, creativity, and transformative impact across the continent,” said Malika.

By nurturing outstanding African PR and strategic communications talent, APO Group is delivering on its vision to pioneer the future of communication and serve as the channel for Africa’s voices.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.

Media contact: 
marie@apo-opa.com 

About APO Group: 
Founded in 2007, APO Group (www.APO-opa.com) is the leading award-winning pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service. Renowned for our deep-rooted African expertise and expansive global perspective, we specialise in elevating the reputation and brand equity of private and public organisations across Africa. As a trusted partner, our mission is to harness the power of media, crafting bespoke strategies that drive tangible, measurable impact both on the continent and globally.   

Our commitment to excellence and innovation has been recognised with multiple prestigious awards, including a PRovoke Media Global SABRE Award and multiple PRovoke Media Africa SABRE Awards. In 2023, we were named the Leading Public Relations Firm Africa and the Leading Pan-African Communications Consultancy Africa in the World Business Outlook Awards, and the Best Public Relations and Media Consultancy of the Year South Africa in 2024 in the same awards. In 2025, Brands Review Magazine acknowledged us as the Leading Communications Consultancy in Africa for the second consecutive year. They also named us the Best PR Agency and the Leading Press Release Distribution Platform in Africa in 2024. Additionally, in 2025, we were honoured with the Gold distinction for Best PR Campaign and Bronze in the Special Event category at the Davos Communications Awards. 

APO Group’s esteemed clientele, which includes global giants such as Canon, Nestlé, Western Union, the UNDP, Network International, African Energy Chamber, Mercy Ships, Marriott, Africa’s Business Heroes, and Liquid Intelligent Technologies, reflects our unparalleled ability to navigate the complex African media landscape. With a multicultural team across Africa, we offer unmatched, truly pan-African insights, expertise, and reach across the continent. APO Group is dedicated to reshaping narratives about Africa, challenging stereotypes, and bringing inspiring African stories to global audiences, with our expertise in developing and supporting public relations campaigns worldwide uniquely positioning us to amplify brand messaging, enhance reputations, and connect effectively with target audiences.  

APO Group (https://APO-opa.com), the leading, multi-award-winning, pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service, is proud to announce that its Founder and Chairman, Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard (www.Pompigne-Mognard.com), has been appointed as a member of the Advisory Board of the Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF).

AWIEF (www.AWIEForum.org) is a pan-African organisation dedicated to advancing women’s economic empowerment and leadership across the continent. Through its annual conference, awards, accelerator programmes, and strategic partnerships, AWIEF continues to support women founders, executives, and innovators, driving sustainable growth and inclusive development.

Each year, AWIEF convenes entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, corporate leaders, and development partners from across Africa and the diaspora for two days of high-level dialogue, innovation showcases, and strategic engagement — all focused on advancing women’s entrepreneurship and leadership. The programme includes keynote addresses, panel discussions, masterclasses, workshops, and B2B networking sessions covering leadership, innovation, trade, technology, investment, and policy.

Since its inception in 2016, the AWIEF Awards have become a powerful beacon of recognition and inspiration for women in business and leadership. More than a celebration of success, the Awards empower the next generation of innovators and changemakers, fostering a dynamic pan-African community rooted in collaboration, creativity, and measurable impact.

AWIEF’s work is supported by a broad coalition of sponsors and partners. AWIEF 2025 has been made possible through the strong support and strategic partnerships of leading organisations, including OCP Africa, Deloitte Africa, the City of Cape Town, the African Women Development Fund (AWDF), Nedbank, UNDP, UN Women, and MINT360.

The Advisory Board also brings together a distinguished group of leaders whose experience and influence elevate AWIEF’s mission. Among them are Fatma Samoura, former Secretary General of FIFA, and Awa Ndiaye-Seck, Special Representative of UN Women, both of whom contribute invaluable insight and global perspective to advance women’s leadership and entrepreneurship across Africa.

Speaking on his appointment, Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard said: “I strongly believe African women should be empowered, equipped, and recognised for their contributions, innovations, and leadership. AWIEF highlights and celebrates these women, globally, in the most beautiful way. It is a powerful platform that amplifies women’s leadership and innovation across Africa. I am glad to support this mission, and joining AWIEF’s Advisory Board offers a meaningful opportunity to help drive real impact towards a more inclusive and prosperous future.”

A Franco-Gabonese entrepreneur named among the 100 Most Influential Africans in 2023 and 2024, Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard serves on numerous prominent advisory boards and international committees. These include the Senior Advisory Board of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business; the Leadership Council of the Africa Tech Festival; and the Advisory Boards of the African Energy Chamber, World Football Summit, Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF), Critical Minerals Africa Group, Bloomberg New Economy Gateway Africa, Sports Africa Investment Summit, EurAfrican Forum, and All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA). He also acts as a strategic advisor to the CEO of the Royal African Society (UK), a strategic advisor to the EU-Africa Chamber of Commerce, and a special advisor to the President of Rugby Africa. Most recently, he was appointed as a Council Member of the Africa No Filter Foundation.

Nicolas’s wholly-owned company, APO Group, is the premier award-winning pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service. The company serves more than 300 clients, including Canon, Emirates, Nestlé, Western Union, UNDP, TikTok, Coca-Cola, NBA, NFL, and Marriott.

More information about Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard: http://apo-opa.co/3LCf8Vj

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.

Media contact:
marie@apo-opa.com

About APO Group:
Founded in 2007, APO Group (https://APO-opa.com) is the leading award-winning pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service. Renowned for our deep-rooted African expertise and expansive global perspective, we specialise in elevating the reputation and brand equity of private and public organisations across Africa. As a trusted partner, our mission is to harness the power of media, crafting bespoke strategies that drive tangible, measurable impact both on the continent and globally. 

Our commitment to excellence and innovation has been recognised with multiple prestigious awards, including a PRovoke Media Global SABRE Award and multiple PRovoke Media Africa SABRE Awards. In 2023, we were named the Leading Public Relations Firm Africa and the Leading Pan-African Communications Consultancy Africa in the World Business Outlook Awards, and the Best Public Relations and Media Consultancy Agency of the Year South Africa in 2024 and again in 2025 in the same awards. In 2025, Brands Review Magazine acknowledged us as the Leading Communications Consultancy in Africa for the second consecutive year. They also named us the Best PR Agency and the Leading Press Release Distribution Platform in Africa in 2024. Additionally, in 2025, we were honoured with the Gold distinction for Best PR Campaign and Bronze in the Special Event category at the Davos Communications Awards.

APO Group’s esteemed clientele, which includes global giants such as Canon, Nestlé, Western Union, the UNDP, Network International, African Energy Chamber, Mercy Ships, Marriott, Africa’s Business Heroes, and Liquid Intelligent Technologies, reflects our unparalleled ability to navigate the complex African media landscape. With a multicultural team across Africa, we offer unmatched, truly pan-African insights, expertise, and reach across the continent. APO Group is dedicated to reshaping narratives about Africa, challenging stereotypes, and bringing inspiring African stories to global audiences, with our expertise in developing and supporting public relations campaigns worldwide uniquely positioning us to amplify brand messaging, enhance reputations, and connect effectively with target audiences.