African Marketing Confederation highlights AI-driven innovation and youth potential at Accra summit
The African Marketing Confederation (AMC) recently hosted its annual conference in Accra, Ghana, a flagship event that drew more than 400 delegates from 29 countries, making it one of the most inclusive gatherings of marketing professionals across Africa. The conference, held alongside the Technology Information Confederation Africa (TICON Africa), showcased the growing collaboration between marketing and technology sectors on the continent. Delegates represented a diverse geographic spread, with Ghana contributing the largest contingent of 229 participants, followed by Uganda, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The presence of attendees from countries such as Austria, Canada, India, Romania, the United Kingdom, and the United States also highlighted AMC’s expanding global reach and influence.
At the heart of the conference was a focus on the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in marketing. Charles Murito, Google's Regional Director for Government Affairs & Policy in Sub-Saharan Africa, underscored AI as a tool that enhances, rather than replaces, human creativity. He emphasised how AI empowers African entrepreneurs to tell their stories compellingly on a global stage. This theme of technology-driven innovation was echoed throughout the event, with sessions exploring digital transformation, data-driven decision-making, and the potential of AI to give small businesses a competitive edge. However, ethical considerations and infrastructural challenges were also candidly discussed, highlighting the need for clear policies to ensure inclusive growth rather than exacerbating inequality.
Beyond technology, the conference put a spotlight on Africa’s human capital as its greatest asset. Professor Fred McBagonluri, Provost and President of Academic City University, highlighted the continent’s youth as a critical resource for unlocking economic progress and resilience through investment in education and innovation. This emphasis on people power was complemented by discussions on brand storytelling and cross-border collaboration—key to leveraging Africa’s diversity and markets.
In parallel with the conference, there are ongoing noteworthy developments in Ghana’s marketing landscape. The Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana (CIMG) recently held its 34th Annual General Meeting in Accra, where it highlighted significant achievements such as the third wave of the Ghana Customer Satisfaction Index for the banking sector and the launch of a comprehensive Ghana Regional Brand Index. These initiatives aim to deepen consumer engagement and promote regional economic and tourism potentials, reinforcing marketing’s strategic role in national development.
Looking ahead, AMC and TICON Africa have already announced their next joint conference, scheduled for August 2025 in Accra. This forthcoming event, themed 'Thriving in Africa’s Evolving Markets: Trust, Trends, and Technology', is set to be the largest yet, expected to attract over 500 delegates from more than 35 African countries. A recent Memorandum of Understanding with the Ghana Tourism Authority as the exclusive tourism partner underscores the expanding scope and ambition of these conferences, aligning the marketing, tourism, and technology sectors in a collaborative drive for continental economic growth.
The AMC’s annual forum, therefore, represents more than just a professional gathering; it is a strategic platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and forging partnerships that promise to elevate marketing standards and foster innovation across Africa. By prioritising ethical practice, training, and technological advancement, the AMC is positioning African marketers as pivotal actors in global economic conversations and digital economies. This commitment was evident in the conference’s closing pledges to empower marketing professionals with the skills and tools necessary to compete effectively on the world stage.
The continued growth and influence of such forums highlight Africa’s evolving marketing landscape, where technology, youthful dynamism, and cross-sector collaboration converge to unlock new opportunities and address enduring challenges.
![image_6241584[1].jpg](https://www.associationexecutives.org/static/e71b50b7-21d2-4fd8-8bb964e5112e8fc7/resourcegridlistingimagedefault_089d75eaa525ed03c6be497f1bd0342c_4a7c7e45a350/image62415841.jpg)