Top marketing communities for Africans
I recently attended an event where someone asked about getting answers to her different marketing problems. Thinking about her question made me realize that communities are the best place to be if you want to share your marketing dilemmas and find the right solutions.
You don’t have to build your marketing career alone, and communities allow you to surround yourself with people eager to share their insights and experiences—a great way to transform your journey overnight.
In this blog post, I’ll show you 10 African marketing communities you’ll be glad you joined.
10 marketing communities in Africa
There are several communities out there, but not all are equally suitable for your needs. To help you choose the best one, I’ve selected 10 of the most reliable marketing communities in Africa that cater to a variety of marketing fields and interests.
1. Smarketers Hub
Smarketers Hub is perfect for marketers looking to build successful global careers and stay updated on the latest trends. The Slack community, known as the “Marketers Room,” is a free community that gives you instant access to industry-specific tools, career and marketing resources, and a network of marketing professionals at different levels.
More about Smarketers Hub
Founder: Aisha Owolabi (Senior Content Marketer).
Audience: Social media marketers, growth marketers, product marketers, content marketers, community managers, and marketers in all fields.
Platform: Slack.
Pricing to Join: Free.
One of the biggest perks of this community is its free monthly AMA sessions held by marketing experts across different industries, which offer a great way to learn more about your work while also getting to peek behind the curtain at how other successful marketers get it done.
The Room is a great place to start if you’re just starting out in marketing, want to build a successful career, or want to be around other smart marketers who don’t take things too seriously but will hold your hands as you figure things out.
2. ConTech Africa
ConTech Africa is for creators in the tech space. Founded in November 2022, they provide a supportive space for African creators passionate about transitioning into or growing within the tech industry.
More about ConTech Africa
Founder: Daniel Orubo and Ope Adedeji.
Audience: Designers, content creators, marketers, and product managers.
Platform: Slack.
Pricing to Join: Free.
ConTech’s Slack community allows members to connect with other creators and marketers, share knowledge and experiences, and collaborate on projects. Whether you are a designer eager to craft user-friendly interfaces, a writer itching to tell the stories that shape tech products, or a marketer eager to champion innovative solutions, this community offers a platform for connection and growth.
3. The Freelance Coalition for Developing Countries (FCDC)
The FCDC is a community dedicated to supporting and empowering Black Indigenous People of Colour (BIPOC) freelancers from developing nations. BIPOC freelancers in developing countries face undervaluation of their work and struggle with confidence in pricing, and the FCDC works to tackle these issues head-on
More about FCDC
Founder: Chima Mmeje.
Audience: BIPOC freelancers, primarily marketers.
Platform: Slack.
Pricing to Join: Free.
The FCDC also tackles the psychological barriers that often hold back BIPOC freelancers. Through workshops and peer support, the community empowers members to command premium service prices. As a member, you’re open to mentorship and resources designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to build a successful freelance career.
4. Blurpe
Founded to build a community of expert marketers, Blurpe offers online courses taught by industry experts covering various marketing disciplines. Members have access to exclusive masterclasses led by renowned marketing professionals. You can gain valuable insights and practical strategies to fast-track your career growth. Blurpe caters to marketers at all stages of their careers.
More about Blurpe
Founder: Milton Tutu.
Audience: Product marketing, Growth, Content marketing, Social media marketing, UX writing, and more.
Platform: Telegram.
Pricing to Join: Free.
Blurpe also has a talent pool aimed at linking marketing professionals in Africa with startups and companies looking to hire talent. Whether you’re a seasoned professional looking to refine your skills or a complete newcomer eager to learn the ropes, there is something for you.
5. DigiClan Africa
DigiClan, a group of marketing professionals formed in 2017, brings together people from across Africa's digital media and marketing fields. They aim to create a pan-African community for information sharing, networking, and collaboration on the latest trends and opportunities.
More about DigiClan Africa
Audience: Digital professionals and enthusiasts (marketers, content creators, e-commerce specialists, graphic designers)
Platform: WhatsApp
Pricing to Join: Free
The community consists of digital professionals from Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana. This diverse network allows you to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and forge valuable connections that could unlock future opportunities.
6. African Product Marketing Community (APMC)
APMC is not just a community but a springboard for growth and success. They understand the unique needs of African product marketers and offer a comprehensive range of resources and opportunities.
More about APMC
Founder: Temitope Adelanwa
Audience: Product marketers.
Platform: Slack.
Pricing to Join: Free.
APMC offers mentorship programs, downloadable content, and a supportive community that allows members to share experiences, build lasting connections, and learn from each other's successes. As a community member, you’ll gain the knowledge, network, and support you need to become a force in the African product marketing space.
7. African Marketing Confederation (AMC)
Founded in 2011, the African Marketing Confederation boasts a long-standing history of supporting African marketing professionals. It’s a leading collaboration between the African national marketing member bodies and associations to exchange expertise and information and promote the marketing profession.
More about AMC
Founder: Helen McIntee and Nigel Tattersall
Audience: Marketers of all levels
Pricing to Join: Paid
As a member, you gain access to publications covering marketing disciplines. The community also hosts events such as the AMC Conference. These events provide valuable insights, networking opportunities, and the chance to stay ahead of the curve.
8. African Product Marketing Pioneers (APMP)
APMP understands that African product marketing requires a blend of global best practices and a deep understanding of the continent's diverse markets. Their mission is to provide a space for product marketers to come together and discuss unique challenges and opportunities.
More about APMP
Founder: Christiana Okere and Omolara Sanni.
Audience: Product marketers.
Platform: WhatsApp.
Pricing to Join: Free.
9. The Early Stage Marketer
The Early Stage Marketer started as a newsletter. The community is a space and support system for early-career marketers in early-stage tech startups. The core idea is to provide peer mentorship and make marketing friends.
More about The Early Stage Marketer
Founder: Onyinye Nwankwo.
Audience: Early-stage marketers (0-3 years).
Platform: Slack.
Pricing to Join: Free.
In the private Slack group, members can openly discuss their challenges, ask questions, and get advice from others in the same boat.
10. Association of Digital Marketing Professionals (ADMARP)
ADMARP offers a supportive community and valuable resources to empower African digital marketing professionals. They recognize the importance of staying ahead of the curve and provide a comprehensive platform for continuous learning and professional development.
More about ADMARP
Audience: Digital marketers.
Platform: Slack.
Pricing to Join: Free.
How to get the best out of a marketing community
You have joined a marketing community—fantastic! But simply joining one is not enough. Here are some tips for getting value from any community you join to truly reap the benefits.
1. Find your niche
Consider your existing marketing skillset and areas you’re passionate about. Does social media marketing excite you? Are you a content creation pro? Matching your skills and interests to specific community offerings can help you find your niche.
Alade Elizabeth, a content writer, shares how she finds the right community:
“ As a marketer, I try to find an engaged community (where I can learn, meet new people, and serve) that suits my niche. I already know my niche, which helps me narrow my search for an engaged community. For most of my research, I use social media and mentions from newsletters. I leverage the ones mentioned by top leaders in the industry. Try out a few ones and also start observing which one is relevant and which one can meet my expectations. Stay in some and leave those that don't feel welcoming.”
2. Follow community rules
Most communities have readily available guidelines outlining expectations for member behaviour. This can be a dedicated "Community Rules" page or pinned posts within channels. Take the time to read and understand these rules thoroughly.
“Every community has guidelines. We see this in both big and small groups. They are put in place to maintain order and ensure activities do not contradict what the community stands for,” says Idongesit Akpan, a community manager.
3. Be an active participant
Don’t be shy about sharing your knowledge and experience. Answer questions about your niche area, offer advice, or even create content (like blog posts) relevant to the community's interests. Many communities host webinars or meetups. Attend these events to learn from industry experts, network with other members, and participate in interactive sessions.
“A great way for community members to stay active is by frequently engaging in activities and conversation centered around what truly matters to them,” says Olatomide Awoyomi, a growth marketer. He adds, “Essentially mapping out and trying what they intend to achieve with their involvement would naturally aid participation.”
4. Support other members
Sometimes, the best way to support someone is by simply listening. If a member posts a challenge they are facing, lend a supportive ear, offer advice if appropriate, or point them towards helpful resources within the community.
As Morayo Odunsi, a social media specialist, mentioned, “The reason for a community in the first place is to enable interaction amongst everyone and help each other learn as much as possible. Being able to answer questions or help someone who requires help allows the community to thrive.”
She adds, “The more I show up to assist someone, the more others will be willing to help, and one day, when I also have a question or need help, someone will be there to help me, too. That way, everyone gets to be on the same page. If there was no interaction or way to benefit from one another, then there's no need for the community.”
5. Build relationships
Building strong relationships within a marketing community takes time and effort. Find members with whom you share common ground and start conversations by responding thoughtfully to their posts, asking questions, or offering feedback.
As Emmanuel Nwosu, a marketing professional, says, “Relationship building starts with exchanging ideas. Before joining a community, there should be a reason for joining—to learn, gain opportunities, or create partnerships. I join communities to learn, and one good way I build relationships is by reaching out. When people talk about projects they have worked on, I reach out if it inspires me.
He adds, "Relationships start from having tiny conversations. Try to share ideas and always be open to feedback. It’s a lot easier to approach people when you show genuine interest."
Marketing isn’t a solo act
From niche-specific forums and local meetup groups to global organizations and virtual events, the communities I’ve mentioned here cater to diverse marketing professionals, encouraging knowledge sharing and inspiration.
If you’re a professional marketer seeking to expand your network or a newcomer looking to learn from industry experts, these communities provide a welcoming space to connect with like-minded individuals. I hope you find the marketing community that best fits you.
Marketing communities for Africans FAQS
How do I find a marketing community?
You can find a marketing community through online platforms (social media groups, discussion boards, community websites), offline (conferences, meetup groups), and influencers (industry blogs, podcasts).
What are the best product marketing communities?
The best product marketing communities are the Product Marketing Alliance, African Product Marketing Pioneers, Mind the Product, African Product Marketing Community, and Product Marketing Hive. These communities offer different opportunities.
What are examples of digital marketing communities?
Some great examples of digital marketing communities are Smarketers Hub, Pretty Little Marketer, DigiClan Africa, Association of Digital Marketing Professionals, and Blurpe. You get to learn, connect, and grow in your field by joining these communities.
Best growth marketing communities free to join?
The best growth marketing communities that are free to join are Growth Hackers, Demand Curve, and Product Led Growth. These free communities provide valuable resources, networking opportunities, and a platform for growth marketers to share and learn from each other.
