Seven notable African tech PR firms

Marketing and PR are the key touchpoints that compel customers to purchase products or use certain services. PR will often not translate to direct sales, however, it is important in building credibility and shaping perception—especially we the increasing need for crisis communication strategies in the ecosystem.

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Africa's digital economy is large and growing, with an estimated market size of $115 billion and expected to reach $712 billion by 2050, according to Endeavor Nigeria.

"PR is like a booster rocket for a startup that is already flying. It's not fuel to get a very early-stage startup off the ground," Victoria Crandall, a PR executive recently tweeted.

In this article, I compiled a list of some notable African-focused tech public relations (PR) firms—such as Wimbart, No Filter PR, ABCs, Talking Drum Communications—that have been helping companies and tech entrepreneurs within the continent to tell their stories.

Wimbart

Founded in 2014 by Jessica Hope, Wimbart is a boutique PR firm serving tech companies in Africa and other emerging markets. Its portfolio of clients includes Andela, IROKOtv, Kobo360, and 54gene. In 2020, Wimbart launched the PR Office Hours, AKA Wimbart Office Hours, a mentorship programme designed to equip African startups with the PR tools they need to achieve their business goals. It is targeted at early-stage startups and companies building tech solutions for Africans on the continent or in the Diaspora.

Abiola Bonuola Communications

Abiola Bonuola Communications (ABCs), is an agency catering to the public relations needs of African startups, investment firms and tech entrepreneurs. ABCs was founded by Abiola Bonuola, a Nigerian PR Consultant. Since it commenced operations in 2021, ABCs has worked for successful startups like Drugstoc, VBank, Shecluded, ARTSPLIT and Errandpay garnering a reach of 1 million per project.

No Filter PR

No Filter PR is a Lagos-based public relations agency servicing African startups. The firm was founded in 2021 by Victoria Crandall, a publicist with 15 years of experience in journalism, market research, and public relations. No Filter PR has worked with several African startups including uLesson, MFS Africa, Omnibiz, and Bamboo.

Talking Drum Communication

Talking Drum Communications was founded by Olugbeminiyi (Bemi) Idowu to enable African tech companies and other stakeholders in Africa's tech sector to shape perceptions and increase visibility with partners, customers and key players on the continent and across the world.

Related Article: How tech is changing the perception of Africans toward Africa

Claudine Moore Media International Public Relations

C. Moore Media, International Public Relations (CMM) is a New York-headquartered PR agency focusing on the US, UK, and African markets. Recently, CMM was acquired by Allison+Partners, an integrated global marketing and communications agency operating in more than 50 markets around the world.

CMM has worked with some of the continent’s startups from their Series A to Series E, including WorldRemit, Copia Global, Lori Systems, Konga, AFEX, and WorldCover. The independent boutique firm has also worked with several African organisations and business leaders outside the digital tech industry, including former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Arik Air, and The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

In 2020, the firm launched The Future is Female Mentorship Program, the first and only PR and communications initiative dedicated exclusively to African female tech founders. CMM will continue to run the program with the full support of Allison+Partners.

Tech PR Africa

TechPR Africa is a public relations and communications firm co-founded by Adegoke Oyeniyi, a former Editor-in-Chief at TechCabal. The Lagos-based PR firm that partners with tech companies to carve their stories and get them known to local and international audiences. The firm has worked with Techstars Global, dLocal and PremierCredit.

Insider PR

InsiderPR (also known as Be An Insider) is another tech PR firm that helps founders and investors across Africa and the Middle East tell their stories to the world. Co-founded by Eliot Pence and Aubrey Hruby, the firm is based between Washington DC, Lagos and London.

Editor's Note: This is an inexhaustible list. If you know any other African tech PR firm, mention them in the comment or send me an email.