WiM Africa Partners with IAA UK to Deliver Landmark UK–Africa Summit in London

Women in Marketing Africa (WiM Africa) has partnered with the International Advertising Association (IAA) UK to deliver the IAA UK COMPASS: Africa Summit – The Future Reimagined: Rethinking African Brands, taking place on 12 March 2026 at Fordham University London 

The afternoon summit and drinks reception will convene senior marketers, brand leaders, agency executives, policymakers, and investors to explore how Africa’s markets and brands are evolving amid rapid digital, cultural, economic, and regulatory shifts. Designed as a strategic bridge between the UK and the African continent, the London gathering will serve as a momentum-builder for the IAA Africa Rising 7 Conference in Accra later this year 

 

Why This Summit — And Why Now

Africa is home to some of the world’s fastest-growing economies, a booming young population, mobile-first consumers, and accelerating AI adoption. At the same time, African brands are exporting creativity, fashion, music, and technology to global markets. The opportunity is significant — but so is the need for more intelligent, respectful, and equitable collaboration.

The Summit positions London as a gateway for UK and global organisations looking to build meaningful partnerships across Africa. It will focus not only on why Africa matters, but how to operate effectively, authentically, and sustainably within its diverse markets 

 

Confirmed Speakers and Panellists

The programme brings together influential voices from across brand, finance, culture, and trade, including:

• Yaw Nsarkoh, Chairman, LivFul Inc. (former EVP Global Markets, Unilever), delivering the Opening Keynote: Building African Brands with Dignity, Discipline and Global Reach 
• Tamara Ojeaga, Director, Consumer Insights & Brand Growth, Kantar
• Lydia Amoah, CEO, Backlight Inc / Founder, The Black Pound Report
• Jamila Saidi, UK Department for Business & Trade
• Fadé Ogunro, Founder, The Fade Agency
• Steven Apampa, EMEA Brand Marketing Lead – Men’s Football (Athletes), Nike
• Kojo Marfo, Founder, My Runway Group / AfriCANNES
• Representatives from Ecobank, Nedbank and Access Bank
• Kgomotso Ramothea, CEO, African Travel & Tourism Association (ATTA), alongside tourism leaders from Rwanda, Kenya, and South Africa
• Steve Babaeko, VP Africa, IAA / CEO, X3M Ideas, delivering the closing reflections 

Panel discussions will explore:

• Understanding the African consumer through data, culture, and storytelling
• Practical UK–Africa brand partnerships
• Finance, fintech, and financial inclusion as growth engines
• Nation branding, tourism, and shifting global perceptions of Africa 

 

Why WiM Africa Is Partnering

WiM Africa’s mission is to champion gender-balanced leadership, creative excellence, and Africa’s rightful place in the global marketing and communications landscape. This partnership with IAA UK builds on a longstanding relationship, including collaboration on the IAA Africa Rising conferences since 2021.

For WiM Africa, this Summit is not just an event — it is part of a broader commitment to:

• Elevate African expertise and leadership on global platforms
• Facilitate credible, commercially grounded UK–Africa collaboration
• Ensure African narratives are shaped by those within the ecosystem
• Create visible pathways for women and diverse leaders in cross-continental brand building

As African creativity continues to shape global culture, WiM Africa believes it is critical that conversations about growth, partnership, investment, and reputation are inclusive, evidence-based, and future-focused.

“For too long, conversations about Africa have been either overly romanticised or overly cautious. What we need now is rigour, respect and real partnership.

Africa is not a peripheral market — it is a growth engine and a cultural force. Through this Summit, we are creating a space where UK and African leaders can meet as equals, exchange knowledge, and build brands that are globally competitive and locally grounded.

At WiM Africa, our role is to ensure that Africa’s talent, insight and leadership are not just present in these conversations — but shaping them.”

Andrea Djan-Krofa, Founder & CEO, WiM Africa

 

Who Should Attend

The Summit is designed for senior marketers, CMOs, brand directors, agency leaders, investors, and organisations with African operations or ambitions, as well as policy and trade bodies seeking deeper UK–Africa collaboration.

By combining strategic relevance, practical insight, and premium networking, the IAA UK COMPASS: Africa Summit aims to catalyse a new era of cross-continental collaboration — one grounded in dignity, discipline, and shared growth.

 

 

Media Enquiries:
Andrea Djan-Krofa
Founder & CEO, Women in Marketing Africa
hello@wimafrica.com

Kirsty Giordani
Executive Director, IAA UK
marketing@iaauk.co.uk 

Source - eventbrite.co.uk