Amanda Sibiya of Branding Africa
At just 30 years old, Amanda has emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the world of branding and entrepreneurship. She is the founder and owner of Branding Africa, an agency that envisions a prosperous Africa driven by African brands. Its mission is to empower local businesses and entrepreneurs to build robust brands through comprehensive brand development programmes, workshops and strategy consulting services.
‘Africa’s entrepreneurship rate is among the highest in the world, yet many small businesses in Africa fail before they reach their fifth anniversary,’ Amanda says. ‘I believe many of them fail because of poor branding and marketing. ‘We aim to capacitate businesses to grow and thrive in a way that positively impacts both the communities around them and the African economy.’
Amanda’s commitment to her vision is evident in the rapid growth of her personal brand, her ever-expanding client base, and the unexpected surge in her annual turnover.
‘With Africa having the youngest population in the world, we can build brands that will represent innovation in the global landscape, and I know Branding Africa can be instrumental n helping African entrepreneurs build businesses that will outlive them.’
As a relatively new company with a young black woman at the helm, Branding Africa has had its share of challenges. ‘Since our inception in 2022, we’ve faced resistance from industry gatekeepers who reinforce red tape, often excluding us from crucial discussions.’ But Amanda remains resolute in her mission, advocating for inclusivity and diversity in the industry.
In the next three years, she envisions Branding Africa expanding its presence across East Africa, and contributing to policy-making that benefits African entrepreneurs.
Amanda plans to invest her R60000 prize money in the development of Entrepreneurs Corner, a platform aimed at providing resources to entrepreneurs. ‘Through this initiative, we plan to host workshops and podcasts, and establish a comprehensive resource centre that will equip entrepreneurs with the necessary tools for building successful brands and businesses.’
For more information, visit https://wearebrandingafrica.com/