AMC Conference: Exploring the Influence of AI and Afcfta on African Marketing
Discover announced speakers and essential news for the upcoming AMC Conference. Delegate payments are now live – read the latest articles and register.
APP-BASED MARKETING
The continued rise of WhatsApp as a marketing tool in Africa
By our News Team | 2022
It started as a messaging app for connecting families, friends and social groups. Now WhatsApp is an effective marketing tool in Africa.
It has been more than 10 years since WhatsApp made its debut in Africa. Since then, it has evolved from a simple messaging service into a mainstream business marketing tool for businesses of all sizes, ranging from small and medium-sized enterprises through to corporate giants and multi-national retailers.
The highest global levels of WhatsApp penetration are today to be found in sub-Saharan Africa (GlobalWebIndex, 2020), where it has come to be used by everything from coffee shops to insurance companies and supermarkets.
Photograph via Strategic Marketing for Africa magazine
Ongoing Covid woes have served to accelerate the use of WhatsApp in business as people have come to realise that technology is the answer to the barriers presented by social distancing requirements, lockdowns, border closures and an increasing reluctance by consumers to be in crowded public places.
WhatsApp was described as “absolutely dominant” by a 2018 Quartz Africa media report, and that has manifestly not changed since. GlobalWebIndex 2020, lists WhatsApp’s penetration of various countries as 97% in Kenya, 96% in South Africa and 95% in Nigeria. In other words, from a marketers’ perspective, it is near-ubiquitous in many African countries.
A mobile store-counter
Sidney Ogodo, head of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, attributes its dominant position to its ease of use, ease of understanding and simplicity of downloading. He notes that “every step is user-friendly”.
It is this factor which has allowed many African businesses to make WhatsApp their digital store-counter; a place to discuss products and coordinate sales. This translates WhatsApp users into potential customers as they are able to see catalogues of what’s available without having to click on any external link, he explains.
Gillian Rusike, Secretary-General of AMC and head of the Marketers Association of Zimbabwe, says of the Zimbabwe market: “WhatsApp for Business is gaining a lot of traction among Zimbabwean companies for its quick turnaround of enquiries, making payments or resolving issues.
Chawa Mphande, a marketer based in Blantyre, Malawi, says: “WhatsApp is being used widely in Malawi by small businesses and big corporates alike, including banks. Many business groups have been formed on WhatsApp, for instance for buying and trading items and the marketing of those items – every type of product from agricultural to electronic equipment.
To read more of this article go to page 28 of the latest digital edition of Strategic Marketing for Africa, the official publication of the African Marketing Confederation (AMC) here: https://africanmarketingconfederation.org/publications-2/
PRCA Africa NextGen announces Lerato Motloung as its new Chair
Body for emerging public relations and communications professionals across Africa also has a new Vice Chair and committee member.
More improvements for vital Port of Maputo regional trade gateway
Aim is to create a smarter, more connected and efficient port ecosystem that will make Maputo a strategic gateway for trade.
Research gives a new perspective on evoking nostalgia in marketing
Framework aims to help marketers and brand managers know they’re making the right decisions when banking on nostalgia.
LinkedIn moves to reduce the ‘AI slop’ filling the platform
Digital marketers relying on content generated by artificial intelligence are seeing prominent online platforms fighting back.
Kenyan regulator warns businesses about shrinkflation strategies
Shrinkflation and skimpflation is legal but must be clearly communicated to consumers, Competition Authority says.
Angola’s ambitious 1,300km West-East highway project makes a start
Project forms part of a broader strategy to position Angola as an important logistics hub in Southern and Central Africa.
Tiger Brands invests in increased localisation and in-house production
Company says upgrade of Paarl facility reinforces its commitment to economic development, localisation, supply security and affordability.
Scammers imitate brands nearly everyone recognises and uses daily
Microsoft is the brand most imitated by phishers, study finds. ChatGPT enters the top 10 for the first time.
MTN reclaims number one spot in Kantar’s SA brand valuation report
Financial and telecom brands dominate the 2026 BrandZ Top 30 study of most valuable brands. Capitec Bank proves a star performer.
Egypt eyes rest of Africa as it strengthens export logistics network
North African country partners with supply chain solutions company DP World to leverage its continent-wide port and logistics network.
