Eleven of Africa’s leading universities will converge in Nairobi next month for the Africa University Public Relations Challenge (AUPRC) 2026, setting the stage for the continent’s biggest student public relations competition and a battle for continental bragging rights.
Scheduled for August 25, 2026, the competition will be held on the eve of Africa Global Public Relations Week (AGPRW) 2026 and has recorded remarkable growth since its inaugural edition. Participation has nearly tripled from just four universities in 2025 to eleven institutions this year reflecting the growing recognition of strategic communication as a critical profession across Africa.
The universities competing for the 2026 continental title are:
- United States International University–Africa (USIU-Africa),
- Strathmore University,
- Riara University,
- Mount Kenya University (MKU),
- St. Paul’s University (SPU),
- University of Johannesburg,
- Zetech University,
- KCA University,
- Multimedia University of Kenya (MMU),
- University of Nairobi (UoN) and
- Daystar University.
The Africa University Public Relations Challenge is designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry by providing students with an opportunity to tackle real-world communication challenges. Participants will be required to develop and present strategic public relations solutions, demonstrating their creativity, research, critical thinking, presentation skills and ability to solve complex communications issues.
Returning as the Academic Partner for the second consecutive year is Aga Khan University, reaffirming its commitment to nurturing the next generation of strategic communication professionals across the continent.
Dr. Caroline Kiarie, Assistant Professor of Strategic Communications at Aga Khan University’s Graduate School of Media, said the rapid growth in participation demonstrates the increasing importance of public relations education in Africa.
“The growth of the Africa University Public Relations Challenge from four institutions to eleven in just one year demonstrates the increasing interest among students and universities in strategic communication as a profession. This platform provides young practitioners with an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to practical industry challenges while engaging with some of the leading minds in the profession. We are proud to continue supporting this initiative as the Academic Partner,” said Dr. Kiarie.
The competition will be adjudicated by a distinguished panel of four communications experts, who will evaluate teams on strategic thinking, creativity, research, presentation and the overall quality of their proposed communication solutions.
According to AUPRC 2026 Judge Alex Owiti, the diversity and calibre of participating institutions reflect the growing maturity of communications education across Africa.
“The calibre and diversity of universities participating this year is a testament to the growing maturity of public relations education in Africa. Beyond identifying winners, this challenge is about nurturing future leaders who will shape how organisations, governments and communities communicate in an increasingly complex world,” said Owiti.
Organisers say the competition has quickly established itself as one of Africa’s premier platforms for discovering emerging communications talent while strengthening collaboration between universities and the public relations industry.
The challenge will also serve as the curtain-raiser to Africa Global Public Relations Week (AGPRW) 2026, which will bring together communication professionals, policymakers, business leaders, academics and students from across Africa and beyond to discuss the future of strategic communication, reputation management and Africa’s global narrative.
With eleven leading universities, distinguished judges and some of the continent’s brightest communication students preparing to compete, AUPRC 2026 promises to deliver a thrilling contest of strategy, innovation and creativity as Africa’s future public relations leaders battle for continental honours.
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