Vice President of Public Relations and Strategic Communications at APO Group joins renowned panel recognising African excellence in sports leadership
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, May 14, 2025/APO Group/ --
APO Group (https://APO-opa.com) is proud to announce that Rania El Rafie, Vice President of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, has been appointed to the Jury Panel for the 2025/2026 editions of the 50 Most Influential African Women in Sports Awards, an initiative recognising groundbreaking contributions and leadership by women across the African sports ecosystem.

Rania El Rafie, Vice President of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, APO Group
Organised by Africa Sports Ventures Group (ASVG) and the Women Sports Africa Network (WSAN), the 50 Most Influential African Women in Sports Awards honour outstanding female leaders, athletes, executives, and changemakers who are reshaping the African sports landscape. The esteemed Jury Panel features professionals from across the continent and the diaspora, including Albert Kyei Frimpong, President of WBSC Africa and Board Member of the Confederation of African Olympic Sports Associations (CASOL), and Dr. Maha Zaoui, an experienced sports management expert currently serving as General Manager of Rugby Africa.
“I’m honoured to be considered for the Jury Panel of the 50 Most Influential African Women in Sports Awards for 2025 and 2026,” said El Rafie. “This platform plays a vital role in amplifying the voices and achievements of women shaping the future of African sport, and I’m proud to contribute to that mission.”
El Rafie is a seasoned public relations executive with over 22 years of experience across Africa and the Middle East. Based in Cairo, Egypt, she currently serves as Vice President of Public Relations and Strategic Communications at APO Group, where she became the first and youngest person internally promoted to this executive role in January 2024. She has led award-winning campaigns recognised by SABRE Awards, Brands Review Magazine, and World Business Outlook, and was recently awarded a Bronze Stevie® Award in the Most Innovative Woman of the Year 2025 category, and was recognised as one of Africa’s Top 50 Outstanding Women in Communications.
Her experience in sports communication spans the NFL, Basketball Africa League, International Olympic Committee (IOC), and FIFA. She has also driven pan-African communications strategy for major brands such as Canon, Nestlé, TikTok, and Afreximbank. With a degree in Business Administration from the American University in Dubai, Rania brings strategic insight, media expertise, and a passion for sports and empowerment to the jury’s mission.
The announcement coincides with the official launch of the Awards’ new digital platform – (https://apo-opa.co/3SxXj9A) – a hub dedicated to honouring and celebrating the achievements of African women in sports. The site will serve as the central point for information, nominations, and public engagement in the lead-up to the 2025 Awards ceremony, scheduled to take place on 31 July 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya. All nominations will be reviewed by an independent Selection Committee.
This joint initiative marks a landmark moment for African women in sports, aiming to increase visibility, recognition, and opportunities across administration, business, media, technology, and athletics.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.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.
can someone define Wagosha for me please? no offence intended
Wagosha are people who speak Swahili and who named Kismayu. They are the original people of Juba valley and NFD.
The President of Jubaland will have to be Wagosha since they are the original Bantu people of the Juba valley. If they do not get the president's seat or Prime minister and some Kastuumo and Bintidabaqoodi does it will lead to outright war.
The Somali people of the Juba valley are being watched by the international community and AFRICA as a whole Racism will not be tolerated in the formation of Jubaland nor will expansionist ideals.
Viva Wagosha and Viva Wagosha-Jubaland
Wagosha are Jareer aka Bantu people they speak af somali but not ethically Somali.
They are the majority in Mogadishu since they intermarried the hawiya.
Ps I don't even think Hawiya are pure Somali their DNA 97% IS BANTU
Majareerteen are not Midhaha Darood…
Solve that statement from the Mad Mullah!
seriously war? who will wage war against the mighty darood?
As we speak right now the Jareer are being deported from Jubaland back to their ancestry land Tanzania and Mozambique etc.
We have evidence to support our cause that the jareers were ex slaves bought by Arabs from Tanzania and Mozambique into Somalia.
We will get rid off all the Jareers from Darood land they can go back to Tanzania, Mozambique or even live with those Hawiya morons we don't care.
Jubaland will clean up the Jareer infestation once and for all
LOOOOL @ will lead to outright war, Geez, what have you been chewing man??
Harti will have their fair share so will the other clans, I respectfully disagree with Geezer, Jubbaland administration should be based on justice and equality.
justice and equality? do you want us to give our fertile to aliens bantus slaves people from Tanzania and Mozambique?
These Jareer people have a country to go back to its not like their country less but they don't want it because they want remain in Somalia the reason is simply if you just look at where the Jareer populate which is middle shabelle, lower shabelle and Jubaland areas its river side the fertile lands in Somalia.
Look the hawiya people are dumb they are bantu lovers but the darood should get rid off these aliens bantus slaves people from Tanzania and Mozambique.
we have two big war one is the Isaaq in the north and the other is the south the Abgal.
BintiBoy
The entire Military force of Siyad Barre Failed to achieve your dream of expansion.
I suspect you are fully aware of your own circumstances and it is pointless to highlight your political insignificance in Somalia-Italia.
The Somali-Republic was beneficial for Darood and unfortunately it was Darood that failed to deliver justice to all the citizens of the UNION.
Isaaq have nothing to gain from the Union.
Hawiye have nothing to gain from the Union.
D&M have nothing to gain from the Union.
Bantu have nothing to gain from the Union… considering they only live in Somalia-Italia why would it benefit them to remain in a Union that ADDS 3.5Million more somalis to make them more insignificant in terms of population percentage.
Somali-Republic-Union only benefits ONE-CLAN politically and as we are becoming more clanistic politically
You did no defeat anything, remember in the north finished 1987 and Barre regime collapse 1990.so, where your terrorist SNM been all these three years get real mate.
Don't be silly Geezer!! Bantus are not our enemy matter of fact treating them equal will only disappoint those who are aiming to fuel conflicts in Jubbaland. besides if we could have equal rights in America and Europe as ethnic minorities (Somalis) why deny bantus' rights in Jubbaland??. THINK…
Amirah Istal-Somali
What respect do you have for him? Is it because of his constant bad mouthing to reer Sheikh Isahaq women including your own mom? I'm sure this dude is not pure.
LOOL Ku-rujiye, do you know turning people against each other is a huge SIN, Geezer has never insulted my mom, as a matter of fact I dissed him so many times but he never diss me back. his only ceeb is his constant brag about his Ghost wife in Goljano. all in all bad mouthing our Somali women is unacceptable regardless of their tribe..
Viva somaliland
Walaal Amirah,waxaan filayaa in aadan ku fiicneen tariikhda dalkaaga!
Wagosha waa dadka reer Goleedka,oo ay ku lahaayeen boqortooyidii la dhihi jirey Shunguwaya,
waa dadka ku abtirsada Boqor Nassib Buunde(Makamjira Jee Zamaani).
Marka gal web-ka (www.wagoshanews.com)
thanks for the link walalo even it's not working and nah I have never met a Wagosha person perhaps that's why i never heard of them either way they're our fellow countrymen,
My dear Amirah
If you are a real Somali,you know are the Wagosha people,they are the majority of the former of BASSO JUBBA,may be you never seen Somalia or other southern part of Somalia.
Did you hear (Wadada Nassib Buunde in Mogadisho?),read the names and the villages of BASSO JUBBA,you will see more than 200-300 (Cities and Villages) named Wagosha language;if I give you an example like Kismayo(Kisima Cha Chu or Ceel gaab)!!,how could you deny these people who represent 25% of the Somali population ?. Again I ask you kindly to read the history of your country.
listen huuno I'm not denying their existence obviously just that I have never met a person from that particular tribe not only them but also D&M, Abgal, Murursade, Hawadle and many more. wax South la yirahdona ma aqaano, born and bred reer Waqooyi. khalad ha ii fahmin.
Many thanks , I truly appreciate somebody who wants to know about all Ethnics and tribes in our beloved country Somalia.I wan born in Kaliokoko, a small city in middle Jubba in the same time
I know most of the villages, cities and tribe in Somalia and tribes as a whole,because we Wagosha people belief the unity, justice and prosperity of Somalia.
President Hassan is trying to do something for our coming generation.
Just try Amirah,if you try and I try we all try the happiness,prosperity and development will be.
Listen Mr Jareer aka wagosha Bantu man do us a flavour just go back to your bantu country Tanzania cuz Jubaland isn't yours its a darood land and we will not jaeer free to roam our land.
Abgaal will not safe your jareer ass you're not worthy of my land so leave in peace.
wow darood people love to steal others people lands…..yestrerday somaliland, then hamaar and now juba….
kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk, Whether Wagosha or Hassan culusow NGO meet, Jubbaland state will have soon PRESIDENT within two weeks. every clan that reside in Jubbaland all participated these process. also IC confirm the packing of Jubbaland formation and the local election.
They came from other countries the period…………….
Darood were all Akhdams from Yemen let us send them all back to Yemen then???
Go home to Yemen and continue your Zuwali trade Ehelul-zawal.
Desperate
The day when one clan in Somaliland or Somalia tries to dominate another clan is history. As I understood, the clan who is trying to form the government in Jubaland were NOT native to the region, as I write this comment, they are being bused from as far places as pirateland, Ethiopian zone five and northern Kenya to occupy the land of other Somali clan.No Somali with common sense will accept this kind of behaviour and as such the natives has Allah given right to defend their land from this invaders.
boooo……………
Daroods where not in Jubaland before Ina Uunlaaye in early sixties, and they claim now that the fertile land of Juba belongs to them. They came from where the camel crows and not able to walk like our camels because of the difficult train in the mountains of BARI. They spread from there and went all over to concur lands that does not belong to them.
I doubt they came from Yemen and believe they are from Srilanka. Look what Abdillahi Yussuf once said. He said I am not Somali but Indian, and received the organ that he lived for quite a long time from a dead Tamil Tiger.
Stop lying walal
boqjire,
Your crazzy iidoros chewing too much mirra,
Didn't siyaad try something similar with Somaliland telling the darood they were going to be living in a new place? The more I hear about darood history and current affairs the more I realize these people are one trick ponys! All they understand is gumaysi, genocide and displacement! Dang now the bantus and the ethnic minorities are against them along with the Hawiye and the Isaaq.
Goes to show greedy and xasiidnimo sooner or later catches up with you.
Loool………………
very true NLANDER
qaraar!!!
If Darood from Bari and nugaal can have a share in Jubaland then ever clan should invite all their relatives…
Imagine the whole Malawi claiming Jubaland
kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk.
Darood are majority in jubbaland, they are not minority like isaq.kkkkkkk.
why are daroods trying to take other peoples lands
Jareer will not participate the jubaland process because they don't belong in jubaland in the first place since they are ex slaves bought by Arabs from tanzania.
We know this is a plot by our enemies (Hawiya) to steal our land and gave it to bantus God willing we will bring the war to Mogadishu and those Abgal elders hiding under Amisom tanks will utterly be crushed.
Majareerteen are not Real Harti and that should mean MJ are not permitted in Jubaland.
I'm going to ask islaantee ciisa aa udbalacag who's Mohamed harti father.
@Sahra
Buuxiye is mad because he's iiidoooor nation is falling apart lol
Xiddigiinu waa dhacay dadkiina isku sheegayo (Puntland),fitnadiida iyo khayaamadiina iyo islaweynadiina waa lawada arkey,maanta qofkasto Somaali ah ayaa ogaadey,taasina waa guul u soo hooyatey ummadeena.
Ama Hawiye ku sheeg,ama Habargidir Abgaal ku sheek, ama Adoon ku sheeg,dadkaani waa dad Soomaali oo deegaan ku leh Somaaliya oo la yiraahdo BASSO JUBBA.
Shaley ma aha maanta,Usimada ,Aqoonyahanada,Mashaayiikhda iyo Indheergaradka reer Puntaland waxaan u sheegeyna in aduunyadaani ka tilaabsatey ama ka gudubtey waxa meelaha aad la orordeysaan…..Ba',Hilaak umadiina ha u horkicina.
Madaxa Wagosha Eng Yarow iyo H.E President Hassan wixii ay ka wada hadleen waa wax lagu samatabixinkaro ummadan lagu ridey jahwareersan dhoor wujiyo leh.
xddiga dhacay waa layaqaan bal noosheeg nimankii burco ku dhintay………………………………..
@Buuxiye
Jubaland originally belongs to Oromo and I won't dispute with that its true because Oromo were the first settlers in Jubaland before the Darood moved in mainly the Ogaden and Harti from Bari and the coastal villages across Puntland but some how the Oromo were chased out from Jubaland but now most of them are in Ethiopian's Oromo state
But……. Jareer aka wagosha are Bantu people from Tanzania so how can they participate in jubaland process since they are aliens from another bantu country?
Racist!!!!!
Hows that racist? Somali bantus have a country to go back to it's not like their country less.
But the think is they want to remain in Somalia especially the rivers sides of jubaland, middle shabelle and lower shabelle which is fertile land, wealthy livestock and has marine resources.
Sxb the bantus wants to wipe us off.
Jaberti are Akhdam from Yemen, Some are Sri-lankans, some are Malasians like Faroole others are from Zanzibar while some are Sidamo-oroma assimilated.
Should they all go back home?
lol Akhdam???? why are you such an asshole? why call me Akhdam? Akhdam are habesha people Am I habesha?
loool It's obvious you don't like me because I'm Majerteen and my clan have become a barrier wall to your deluded Iiiidooor state lol mohahahahahahah
Why are you denying your identity. Even the Akhdams themselves talk about fratenity. Buuxiye is right and he knows the history. Look what you call the fake boqortooyada MJ was founded by Bantu from Zanzibar and Tanganyika (you call them Osman Mohamud to deny the history), and I;m sure you know that very well like all other Mjs.
true and well said. Darod are originally from Akhdam and that is known world wide
Nin la dhihi jirey Aw Masangeesi Kashareenga oo reer Bangeeni ah( oo ku taalo meel u dhow Jamaame) wuxuu dhixi jirey :Hurdo xumo Riyo ma loo dhaafo.
Qabiil kasto ee Somalia taariikhdiisa waa la yaqaana,waanu haynaaee ha baqina
Just try to think about to adopt (Justice,Equality,Development and Democracy)
A. Kasamila Mganga · 43 minutes ago
Nin la dhihi jirey Aw Masangeesi Kashareenga oo reer Bangeeni ah( oo ku taalo meel u dhow Jamaame) wuxuu dhixi jirey : Riyo Xumo Hurdo ma loo dhaafo.
Qabiil kasto ee Somalia taariikhdiisa waa la yaqaana,waanu haynaa ee ha baqina
Just try to think about to adopt (Justice,Equality,Development and Democracy)
http://youtu.be/OfqnAlUm-5s
@boqoljire,
As WE remember UUNLAAYE invested heavly kismaayo city only from 1961 not other parts of Jubbaland as a Somali citizen. we are mixing up things here, we are talking about whole (Jubooyinka, upper juba, middle juba, lower juba), before uunlaaye invested in kismaayo they were people who lived these areas that i mention and we know who the majority of these people, i do not have to go into details for you.
It's not the issue here where they came from, even some people think isaqs came from falasha and Hawiye oromo. well, who is the real somali here then.
correct— your mixing
The new government needs to stop stirring disharmony in southern Somalia. It is their job to harbor safety and security. I for one believe that the location of the Somali capital needs to be relocated elsewhere, and that the Parliament needs to consider replacing the incompetent President Hassan.
The only illegal land-grabbing is done by the secessionist state of Somaliland. Why does the government not address this!?
We know Somalia is in Afrika, and is a continent that belongs to Africans! then, who is an African? How does an African look like? please don't tell me where the word Afrique came from! I know the history of the first man who claimed to have explored it and the whole continent was named after his last name. but I want to know the physical feature of an African decent, and then we all may need to know "who really resembles identity in Somali! only then can we know who belongs to the land and who herding!
Hi Mhangala, that's true, no one can deny that truth, Soomaaliya is specifically, I mean geographically located in Africa and an African is a black, big or larged nose, round face, kinky hair or generally a person who is physically not in configure European or Arab features but negroid! so anyone who may appear in African physical features is the real Somalian. if somebody doesn't meet those qualifications, we may say is a Somali but not a native!
in reply of the statement that says how a Bantu people participate in a proses of jubbaland god created human been with dark mood. that's original of human been! when we talk about a country with it's citizen the bantus who are living in somalia or have a bath certificate of somalia is a citizen of somalia and has the right to participate in any political proses. this is not the century of mohamed Said bare.