Top 10: Marketing Firms in Africa

Across the globe, marketing firms need to be aware of the demographic they are trying to reach. In an industry that's only growing more competitive, a strong understanding of cultural relevance will turn a client's attention.

Offering a variety of services or specialising in a particular segment of marketing, there are numerous marketing firms across Africa that have established a reputation for bespoke content that drives measurable results.

Read below to find out which one takes the top spot for Marketing Chief.

10. Red September

Revenue: US$3.34m
Employees: 11-50
CEO: Quintin Benade

Founded in 2011, Red September is an independent advertising and digital marketing agency based in South Africa.

Known best for integrating analytics, research, AI, social media and performance marketing within its full service agency, Red September serves clients across South Africa, the Middle East and Europe.

The agency brings sustainable growth to ambitious brands and focuses on determination to deliver high performing results. It has also been recognised with various accolades for the work Red September has produced.

9. OLIVER

Revenue: US$3.51m
Employees: 51-200
CEO: Paul van den Berg

OLIVER is the world’s first and single specialist agency in designing, building and running bespoke marketing ecosystems for brands.

It has worked with over 300 clients in more than 400 countries and offers integrated campaigns, technology integration, brand strategy, ideation, design and content creation.

The agency’s unique in-house approach embeds a team specialised in its work within a brand’s operations – this brings companies greater control, agility and cost efficiency.

8. MO Agency

Revenue: US$5m
Employees: 35
CEO: Luke Marthinusen

After beginning with Customer Relationship Management when founded in 2011, MO agency has grown into a complete CRM-connected digital marketing agency. It specialises in revenue-focused CRM, marketing automation and integrated digital strategies across Africa and globally.

MO works with various industries including automotive, fintech, healthcare and tourism. The agency is also a HubSpot Elite Partner, meaning its work also spans the onboarding, migration, integrations and reporting across all HubSpot Hubs. 

Their work also includes digital marketing, web development, digital experience and AI services.

7. Rogerwilco

Revenue: US$5.5m
Employees: 51-200
CEO: Charlie Stewart

Rogerwilco is a digital marketing agency that specialises in full-service digital strategies and the largest certified B corporation in Africa’s marketing sector.

The agency offers a full suite of digital marketing services, including strategy and creative, performance marketing and analytics and data science.

Their work also spans AI integration and Rogerwilco has acquired partnerships with Google, Meta and Cloudways.

As well as delivering sustainable results, Rogerwilco is committed to ethical, sustainable business practices that bring positive social impact.

6. M+C Saatchi Africa (The Up&Up Group)

Revenue: US$6.9m
Employees: 500
CEO: Mike Abel

M+C Saatchi has been one of the leading independent agencies in Africa for almost two decades, recently rebranded as The Up&Up Group following a buyout to make it 100% locally owned. 

Guided by optimism, openness and opportunity, M+C Saatchi delivers marketing, communications, media, sponsorship and content marketing solutions to its clients.

Having worked with distinctive brands like PepsiCo and Heineken, the agency has positioned itself as a creative powerhouse within Africa, as well as worldwide.

5. Clockwork

Revenue: US$9.6m
Employees: 165
CEO: Tom Manners

Clockwork’s earned-first philosophy prioritises ideas that are rooted in culture and conversation and amplified through paid and digital channels. 

Its work combines strategy, PR, creative, social and influencer capabilities that deliver scalable campaigns that are culturally relevant.

A key example of the agency’s work is Crocs’ ‘Croctober’ campaign, where they integrated influencer and affiliate marketing which led to the sale of over 220,000 pairs of Crocs in one month.

4. Wild Fusion

Revenue: US$17.5m
Employees: 50
CEO: Abasiama Idaresit

Wild Fusion is one of the leading full-service agencies in Africa. Founded in 2010, the digital marketing and communications agency delivers measurable results to both regional and global brands.

The agency offers several services like digital and mobile marketing, strategy and brand management, creative design and content creation and online reputation management.

Wild Fusion has become distinctive for its digital marketing work that is data-driven and culturally attuned. They have also played a large role in driving digital transformation and economic growth for emerging clients.

3. Publicis Groupe

Revenue: US$33m
Employees: 122
CEO: Koo Govender

With a broad presence across Africa, Publicis Groupe Africa is a partnership of over 60 communications agencies which span 36 countries within the continent.

As a fully integrated agency, it offers services like creative and digital advertising, production and commerce and media planning and buying.

The agency emphasises connected creativity and blends technology and media with creative expertise in order to deliver experiences that connect a brand to its audience and produce measurable results.

2. Ogilvy South Africa

Global Revenue: US$2.1bn
Employees: 495
CEO: Akua Brayie Owusu

The largest advertising network agency on the continent, Ogilvy Africa has established long-term client relationships that span over a decade.

Offering capabilities in corporate branding, trade marketing, shopper marketing, creative strategy, crisis management and more, Ogilvy’s work follows its global strategy: “We sell, or else.”

Ogilvy’s emphasis on creativity, strategic insight and local market relevance translates to its South African branch and brings deep market knowledge to its clients, which has led the agency to be consistently recognised for the work it produces.

With over 50 years experience in brand building and marketing innovation, Ogilvy South Africa has built up a reputation for delivering measurable results to brands which stems growth.

1. Omnicom Africa (OMD)

Revenue: US$4.8bn
Employees: 37
CEO: Natalie Bell

Omnicom Media Group is an advertising and marketing agency that operates globally, with a well established footprint across Africa.

The agency delivers fully integrated marketing solutions that combine creativity, media buying, commerce, customer data and AI.

It emphasises integrated, data-driven campaigns, global expertise and technology investment that focuses on agility and adaptability backed by international teams. Fueled by data, the agency thrives on putting its clients first and delivering engagement and growth to its clients.

Balancing its portfolio in Africa, Omnicom is also adapting to wider global changes like its strategic acquisition of IPG in 2025. Due to this acquisition, Omnicom is restructuring how multinational advertisers operate in Africa. 

This will include changes like greater negotiating leverage and potential shifts in regional leadership and service delivery as the media group aims to streamline its operations.