Staff Writer
Brand Africa has announced the launch of the inaugural Africa CMO 100 (ACMO100), a new initiative recognising the 100 most impactful marketing, brand and reputation leaders shaping Africa’s global narrative, identity and economic progress.
Namibia is represented on the list by marketing executive Tim Ekandjo, alongside a diverse group of leaders from across Southern Africa.
The initiative is being rolled out in partnership with African Business magazine, MIPAD and the African Media Agency. The full list, along with detailed analysis, will be published in the April 2026 edition of African Business and across partner platforms.
The ACMO100 builds on over 15 years of research by Brand Africa, which shows a persistent gap between belief in the continent and the prominence of its brands. While 68% of Africans express confidence in Africa, only 18% of the brands they most admire are African. The initiative aims to recognise and connect leaders positioned to shift this imbalance.
According to Brand Africa founder and chairman Thebe Ikalafeng, chief marketing officers and senior brand leaders play a pivotal role in shaping perceptions and influencing consumer trust across the continent. He said the ACMO100 seeks to celebrate these individuals and their contribution to Africa’s development.
The list features 100 leaders drawn from six African economic regions, including the diaspora, spanning 20 countries and more than 50 distinct roles. All honourees are presented alphabetically by country of origin, with no internal ranking.
The inaugural cohort highlights a strong gender presence, with women accounting for 62% of honourees. Female representation is particularly pronounced in the diaspora at 75%, followed by East Africa at 72% and North Africa at 71%, underscoring the leading role women play in Africa’s marketing landscape.
Sector analysis shows financial services — including banking, insurance and fintech — dominating the list with 31 honourees, reflecting the rapid expansion of financial inclusion across the continent. Telecommunications and technology account for a further 20, meaning the two sectors together comprise more than half of the total cohort.
Regionally, Southern Africa leads with 39 honourees, largely driven by South Africa, which alone accounts for 31% of those recognised. West Africa follows with 20 entries, anchored by Nigeria’s strong commercial base, while East Africa contributes 17 honourees shaped by Kenya’s dynamic consumer market.
North Africa emerges as a growing hub, with 14 honourees — including seven from Morocco — signalling the rise of Casablanca as an influential centre for marketing talent on the continent.
The ACMO100 is expected to become a key platform for recognising excellence in marketing leadership while reinforcing the role of brand-building in advancing Africa’s global competitiveness.
