Brands/Products
How Brands Should Leverage Digital Marketing to Capture Africa’s Future Customers
By Ebun Ikenze
Unless they cater specifically to an older niche, most brands want to grab the attention of young people. That makes sense too. Young people are tastemakers and the guardians of what’s cool and what isn’t. And, if you grab their attention while they’re still young, there’s a good chance they’ll stay loyal for a very long time. It is no wonder, then, that so many brands are showing an interest in Africa.
As other major population centres age out and face stagnant (or even decreasing) birth rates, Africa remains home to a young and growing population. In fact, as of 2022, around 40% of the population was aged 15 years and younger. Its overall population, meanwhile, currently sits at around 1.4 billion and is expected to grow to 2.5 billion people by 2050. And by 2030, young Africans are expected to constitute 42% of global youth.
But attracting all those young people to your brand is more complex than launching it and hoping they’ll come. You also have to market it actively. And the best way of doing so is through targeted, relevant messages on the digital platforms that most young Africans spend the majority of their time on.
Connected, savvy, and cool
That focus on digital platforms might seem strange given that overall levels of internet access in Africa (currently at 43%) remain below the global average (66%), but internet connectivity is growing rapidly across Africa. Thanks to the increasing number of undersea cables linking African countries with each other and the rest of the world, connectivity has become faster, more ubiquitous, and more affordable. That impact can be seen in the fact that, by 2022, the continent had more than doubled the number of internet users it had in 2015.
Internet traffic has grown too. In fact, between 2018 and 2022, Africa saw the most rapid growth in international internet bandwidth. While global average bandwidth growth during that period was 28%, Africa saw 44% growth in the same period. Young people are a major driving force behind the growth in internet adoption and traffic. While not an exact proxy for internet connectivity, it’s illuminating that in 2019, sub-Saharan Africa was expected to add more than 160 million mobile subscribers by 2025, driven primarily by the youth population.
With those improvements in connectivity come increased levels of consumer savviness. That means that consumers increasingly want the same kinds of brand experiences as their counterparts in other countries and will actively seek out those experiences.
Being where they are
Therefore, brands must do everything they can to be where those young people are when they’re seeking out those experiences.
That means those brands must have presences on major digital platforms, including those owned by Meta (Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram), as well as on the likes of Snap and Spotify. It’s also telling how invested those platforms are in the continent. Spotify, for example, views Africa as crucial to its ambitions of doubling its global user base by 2030.
They clearly see the potential in Africa’s young and increasingly connected population, so shouldn’t you too?
Partner with the experts
Of course, as much as those platforms have made it as easy as possible to advertise on them, brands can’t simply launch a campaign and hope for the best. They should instead partner with experts who can help ensure that their campaigns are as effective as possible.
Such a partner will have expertise in each of the most important platforms as well as extensive experience in the markets your brand is trying to break into. That on-the-ground knowledge, in particular, should never be underestimated. It can be the difference between a successful campaign and a total flop.
The right partner will also help you deliver creative excellence at a transparent price, maximising the impact of your digital campaigns.
Embracing Africa’s big digital shifts
There is no doubt that Africa is undergoing massive shifts and that its growing, youthful population represents a massive opportunity for the brands willing to take advantage of it. And if they’re to take advantage of that opportunity, they also need to ride the continent’s growing levels of connectivity. Crucially, they shouldn’t do it alone and should instead partner with people who understand both the continent and the most relevant online platforms used across it.
The brands that get that right stand to see serious and lasting gains.
Ebun Ikenze is the Client Relations Director at Ad Dynamo by Aleph
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
On Tuesday, April 14, 2026, customers of Airtel Nigeria felt more involved and loved when the telecommunications company gathered them together at the Lagos Travel Inn Hotel in Ikeja to discuss some of their concerns, especially around data usage, transparency and their experience with its services.
It was the first-ever Customer Forum of Airtel Nigeria in Lagos, where regulators, high-volume data subscribers, 5G customers, and other key stakeholders learned ways to tackle the issue of data depletion.
The event, themed Understanding Your Data: How to Take Control, also highlighted Airtel Nigeria’s ongoing investments in customer experience, including enhanced digital tools, clearer usage dashboards, and expanded retail and support networks aimed at improving transparency and accessibility.
“This is our very first customer forum, and it is more than an event. It is a bold statement that in today’s digital economy, the most important voice is the informed customer,” the Director of Marketing at Airtel Nigeria, Mr Ismail Adeshina, said.
He emphasised that while data has become central to everyday life, from business transactions to education and healthcare, concerns around data value and consumption remain valid and must be addressed transparently.
“Data is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity as essential as electricity and water. However, as usage grows, customers are asking an important question: “Am I truly getting value for the data I purchase? This is not just a technical issue; it is a matter of trust,” Mr Adeshina added.
He further explained that evolving usage patterns, including high-definition video streaming, cloud-based applications, and background app activity, have significantly increased data consumption compared to previous years. According to him, the forum was designed as both a listening platform and an educational session to help customers better understand how their data is used.
“We are here to listen, to explain clearly, and to provide evidence. When customers understand how their data is consumed, it shifts the experience from uncertainty to control and from frustration to confidence,” he further disclosed.
On her part, the Director of Customer Affairs Bureau at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Ms Freda Ruth Bruce-Bennett, reaffirmed the regulator’s commitment to protecting consumer interests and ensuring service quality across the industry, noting that data consumption has become deeply integrated into daily life, making any perceived loss of data a significant concern for users.
“We understand that data is central to how people live and work today, which is why concerns around data depletion are taken seriously. The NCC has put mechanisms in place to ensure that consumers receive the quality of service they deserve and that their voices are heard,” she said.
Ms Bruce-Bennett encouraged customers to take advantage of the NCC’s consumer portal, which provides guidance on data management and a platform for lodging complaints.
“There is an A to Z of data management tips available on the NCC portal, and we encourage consumers to use it. We also continue to work closely with operators like Airtel to ensure that complaints are addressed promptly and transparently,” she added.
On customer engagement and service delivery, the Customer Experience Director at Airtel Nigeria, Mr Oladokun Oye, highlighted the company’s multi-channel approach to supporting customers across the country.
“At Airtel Nigeria, customer experience is not just a function; it is embedded across everything we do. From our network design to how we communicate and resolve issues, the customer remains at the centre,” he said.
He noted that Airtel maintains one of the most extensive customer touchpoint networks in Nigeria, including over 1,000 exclusive shops, a dedicated contact centre accessible via 300, and multiple digital platforms such as the MyAirtel App, web channels, and AI-powered chatbots.
“These channels are designed to provide not just service, but clarity and understanding. We are also continuously improving our digital platforms to ensure customers can track and manage their usage in real time,” Oye added.
He further advised customers to engage only with authorised Airtel outlets to ensure service quality and protect personal information.
The Airtel Customer Forum forms part of a broader industry effort, in collaboration with the NCC, to promote data awareness, transparency in billing, and improved customer education.
By creating a platform for open dialogue, Airtel Nigeria is reinforcing its shift from a transactional relationship with customers to a more collaborative and informed partnership.
The company noted that insights from the forum will inform future improvements in service delivery, customer communication, and digital tools, as it continues to support Nigeria’s journey towards a more inclusive and transparent digital economy.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted the public to the distribution of unregistered and suspected counterfeit Colgate toothpaste brand in Nigeria.
In a public notice shared on X (formerly Twitter), the agency said its Post-Marketing Surveillance Directorate received a complaint regarding the sale of the products in Kaduna State by a shop owner.
Following an investigation, officials of the food and drugs surveillance organisation visited the outlet and discovered two suspected counterfeit products branded as Coglaet ActivGel 100g and Coglaet Herbal 100g. The spellings were not only the indicator, but the production standards.
According to the agency, the shop owner disclosed that the items were sourced from a door-to-door sales representative but could not provide proof of purchase.
NAFDAC stated that the products failed to meet regulatory standards for registration and quality assurance, warning that they pose potential risks to public health and safety. It also added that the stated manufacturer could be traced to Baiyun District, Guangzhou, China.
The agency confirmed that the items have been removed from circulation, while efforts are ongoing to trace those responsible for their distribution.
NAFDAC urged consumers to remain vigilant and report any suspected sale of substandard or counterfeit regulated products to the nearest office, via its hotline or official email channels.
In a statement, NAFDAC said, “All NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been instructed to conduct surveillance and mop up the unregistered and counterfeited products if found within their zones and states.
“Distributors, retailers, and consumers are hereby advised to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the distribution, sale, and use of counterfeit products. The products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked.”
Consumers are advised to report any suspicion of the sale of substandard, falsified, or counterfeit regulated products to the nearest NAFDAC office, call NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322, or via email: [email protected]. For complaints, the Reforms Unit can be reached: 09097630506, 09097630507, or email: [email protected]
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Barely 24 hours after MTN Nigeria announced the suspension of its data and airtime lending services, another operator, Airtel Nigeria, has followed suit.
In a statement on Friday by its Director of Corporate Communications & CSR, Mr Femi Adeniran, Airtel Nigeria said it would not no longer offer the airtime and data credit services for now.
However, the company noted that customers will continue to enjoy uninterrupted access to airtime and data purchases through its existing channels.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) introduced new rules on lending services in the country, and in compliance with this, telecommunications companies had to suspend rendering the services.
The affected services allowed eligible prepaid customers to borrow airtime or data and repay on their next recharge.
The Director of Marketing at Airtel Nigeria, Mr Ismail Adeshina, in the statement, noted the suspension of the services was to “align our operations with evolving requirements.”
“Airtel Nigeria remains committed to the highest standards of compliance, transparency, and consumer protection, while continuing to innovate responsibly within Nigeria’s digital ecosystem,” he added.
The telco noted that the temporary suspension is not expected to have a material impact on its service standards across the country, promising to provide updates on the status of the service in due course.
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