I am where I am today because people took a chance on me – not because I was fully capable or ready – but because someone took a bet on me pegged on potential they saw. And in turn, I learnt early on as well – to dial up my curiosity; to seek to understand and to steep myself in the opportunities that I have been given – so that I can make the best of them.
Seven exceptional women from across Africa and its diaspora have been named on the shortlist for the 2026 Global Women in Marketing (WiM) Awards, recognising their contributions to marketing, brand leadership, innovation and the wider creative industries.
What happens when more than 3,700 marketers from 28 countries come together to talk about the future of marketing? A lot of talk about AI, technology, changing audiences and the platforms reshaping the industry. But at the Nedbank IMC Conference, one idea kept coming back: as the industry changes, some things become ex`ven more important: human insight, local context, creativity and the people behind the work.
Lagos, Nigeria – September 2026 — Women in Marketing Africa (WiM Africa), in partnership with Women in Advertising (WIA-AAAN), is bringing the Real Talk Debate Series to Lagos this November, convening senior leaders from across Nigeria’s marketing, advertising, media and creative industries for a candid conversation about the country’s creative potential — and what it will take to translate that potential into greater cultural and commercial impact.
There is a growing tension at the heart of modern marketing. On one side sits the rise of purpose-led storytelling: beautifully crafted campaigns, emotive brand manifestos and polished narratives about impact, inclusion and change. On the other sits an increasingly discerning audience asking a far more important question: “What is this business actually doing?”
One of the assumptions I challenge most often is the idea that creativity and responsibility sit at opposite ends of a spectrum. In banking, people sometimes believe you have to choose. You can be bold or you can be trusted. You can move quickly or you can manage risk. You can be creatively ambitious or commercially disciplined. I don't believe that. In fact, I think the strongest brands are built precisely because they find a way to do both.
Africa has become one of the most talked-about growth markets in global boardrooms. The continent's population is expected to reach 2.5 billion people by 2050, with the world's youngest demographic profile and rapidly expanding urban centres. Yet despite the enthusiasm, many brands continue to make the same strategic mistake.
A few weeks ago, someone shared how she went searching for a new product to add to her skincare routine. Instead of heading to a traditional search engine, she asked a generative AI assistant for a recommendation. The answer came back quickly, confidently and seemingly perfectly matched to her needs. But she didn't buy it.
At the start of 2026, Cannes Lions wasn’t actually part of the plan. It was going to be an incredibly busy few months, with our inaugural Women in Marketing Africa Real Talk Debate in Nairobi falling in the same month as Cannes Lions. I had almost decided to skip this year’s festival. There was plenty happening across the continent and, like many professionals, I was weighing up whether another trip to Cannes would deliver enough value. Looking back now, I’m incredibly glad I went.
For years, the marketing industry has celebrated progress in how Africa is represented in global advertising. More African faces appear on screens. More campaigns reference African culture. More brands speak the language of inclusion, diversity and localisation. Yet a question posed during the recent Women in Marketing Africa Real Talk Debate in Nairobi challenged the industry to look deeper: "Are global brands truly committed to authentic African representation?"