Edelman Africa
At Edelman Africa, our goal is to shift the world’s perception of Africa by changing prevailing narratives and actively building trust. We exist to solve our client’s toughest brand and corporate challenges,by initiating actions and prompting trusted dialogues that help them win in a multi-stakeholder world.”
Karena Crerar
CEO of Edelman Africa
As the Africa office of the world’s most trusted reputation consultancy, we deliver global-standard communications with deep regional insight and cultural fluency.
When Dan Edelman first established the international firm decades ago, he wanted to create an institution that always developed its offerings in relation to its client’s needs. Building trust, between ourselves and our clients, and our clients and the public, was paramount. Now, as the heart of Edelman’s presence in Africa, we must continue this trust development on the continent. Our clients are facing a rapidly changing world, and we will continue to evolve our offering to be more integrated and agile, offering the holistic support they need. Helping them to tackle Africa’s unique challenges and enjoy its greatest opportunities while ensuring we promote the nuanced stories that change stereotypical perceptions.
Backed by the world’s largest communications firm with eight decades of experience and global reach, Edelman Africa continues to embody the local entrepreneurial spirit that gives us the freedom to do the best work for you and your organisation.
Our 60-strong integrated team consists of Corporate, Integrated Brand and Advisory specialists, complemented by a full Creative Studio capable of producing award-winning content curated by Digital, Strategy, Editorial, Design, and Creative experts.
Integration has been at the core of our success, with interdisciplinary teams helping to win new clients, massively expand existing portfolios, and find new ways to infuse purpose into our clients’ communications strategies. Our team is galvanised by a shared ambition to build trust for our clientele, whether through excellent service, or leveraging Edelman’s annual global research into trust in government, business, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and the media.
However, we work far beyond our headquarters in Johannesburg and Nairobi, having built the most connected communications consultancy in Africa. We’ve partnered with experts and PR professionals across all 54 countries to provide a nuanced, regional lens to help spur the continent’s development.
If your organisation aims to expand across the continent – or start embedding themselves in any of the continent’s diverse markets – no one is better placed to advise.
Because we know Africa Can Lead.
Edelman Africa is the most connected communications advisory on the African continent – with access to all 54 African countries and an Edelman Africa Regional Advisory team representing North, East, West, Central and Southern Africa.
The team, comprising senior industry veterans and communications advisors will support existing and potential clients to navigate the complexities of the continent to ensure they resonate with any market.
Kwame Senou West and Central Africa
South and East Africa
Geraldine Mamburu
Kamal Taibi
North Africa
Samuel Beleke East Africa
From public affairs influencing local policy to crisis communications, on-the-ground presence to regional analysis, the Edelman Regional Advisory (ERA) team will provide strategic regional advisory for clientele operating in multiple African markets.
Communication Capabilities
With trust as our lens, we believe in taking a client-first approach to full-service communications that starts with understanding your unique challenges and solving them with a purpose-built response: sector expertise, relevant capabilities, and partnering at the right level. We lead with solutions, not services.
Integrated Communications
Corporate Communications
Corporate Reputation
Public Relations
Advisory
Public Affairs
Financial Communications
Employee Engagement
Executive Visibility & Positioning
Digital Transformation
Media Relations & Press Desk
Investor Relations
Multicultural
Influencer
Sponsorship
Brand
Community
Creative
Storytelling
Digital
Audience
Crafted
Executive
Impact
Strategic
Our work is always EarnedCentric and Social By Design.
This means that our ideas must connect to a cultural nerve.
Our Creative Approach NEXT HIGHLANDAH THENAIJA
And they are set to spark shareable behaviour from the start.
We call this approach Inspiring Action
Our ideas must connect with audiences powerfully enough to earn every eyeball, every like, every share, and every conversation. Regardless of whether the idea is distributed on Paid, Owned, or Earned channels.
Earned-Centric means our ideas connect directly to a cultural nerve; a conversation that consumers, influential voices, and media are interested in joining.
Social by Design means our ideas are created to spark shareable behaviour from the start. We create content that draws people’s interest and hits a cultural nerve-triggering participation in the conversation and making the participants feel “in the know.”
The Nelson Mandela Foundation has partnered with Edelman to expand from one of South Africa’s most purpose-fuelled NGOs to a global changemaker. Through the development of a pan-African-to-global communications strategy, the development of a new narrative and brand language, and leveraging its most important executive stakeholders – including former Science and Technology Minister and political firebrand, Naledi Pandor – the Foundation is continuing to spread its influence beyond South Africa.
Through ongoing reputation management, crisis support, and sustainability advisory, Edelman was able to assist in building a purpose-driven narrative for one of Kenya’s largest airlines: Kenya Airways, the Pride of Africa. This multidisciplinary support was exemplified in our work with Kenya Airways.
Edelman Africa executed a continent-wide campaign for the SkyTeam Sustainable Flight Challenge, using a transmedia strategy across earned, owned, and social channels. highlighted the airline’s use of sustainable fuels, clients traveling lighter to lower carbon emissions, and the new organic, sustainably sourced meals supplied by Kenyan farmers.
Absa Group Limited is one of Africa’s largest diversified financial services providers, listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and serving millions of customers across 16 countries.
In partnership with Edelman Africa, Absa amplified its leadership voice and deepened its purpose – Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together, one story at a time – through thoughtful reputation management, proactive media relations, and dynamic visibility initiatives that resonate across the continent.
As one of Nigeria’s leading banks – aiming to be one among the continent’s Top 5 financial institutions by 2030 – Access Bank has teamed up with Edelman for a full brand refresh.
Through Research and DxI data analytics, brand restructuring by developing a pan-African brand strategy, unique brand architecture, and corporate communications strategies, Edelman is leveraging its capabilities as Africa’s most connected communications consultancy to grow the Access brand across the continent.
25 Most Important of the 21st Century Awarded 13 Bronze Works for Good and Communications Alternative 2025 Global Agency of the Year 2023 Awarded 13 Cannes Lions since 2013 First Legacy PR Firm to be awarded Titanium Lion
EMEA Agency of the Year 2024
Diamond Sabre Award for Superior Achievement in Monitoring & Evaluation 2025 Public Education 2025
Industrial/Manufacturing 2025 Consumer Products/Services 2024
Top 10 best agencies in Africa 2025
More than two decades of Trust
Edelman has studied the dynamic shifts in trust for 25 years, releasing numerous yearly reports – the Trust Barometer – that provide insights into public trust in business, the media, NGOs, and government. This data extends to annual reports for trust in South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria, providing guidance on levels of trust in local institutions. These important insights help us to better manage our clients’ trust capital, while assisting them in understanding the nuanced trust landscapes of Africa.
We believe Trust is the ultimate currency. Trust defines an organisation’s license to operate, lead, and succeed. Trust is the foundation that allows an organisation to take responsible risk, and, if it makes mistakes, to rebound from them. For a business, especially, lasting trust is the strongest insurance against competitive disruption, the antidote to consumer indifference, and the best path to continued growth. Without trust, credibility is lost and reputation can be threatened.”
Richard Edelman President & CEO, Edelman
The Company We
Keep
Edelman Africa has a passion for impact work, with clientele across numerous sectors, regions, and purposes. From the financial sector to international NGOs, our development communications expertise is helping them build their stories across Africa.
