On 5 August 2026, the city of Gaborone, Botswana, will host a landmark event destined to reshape the corporate communications landscape across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Evoxity Media has announced its inaugural Sub-Saharan Africa Corporate Communications Summit, a high-level gathering designed to elevate the standards and practice of corporate communications throughout the region. The summit is not only a showcase of global expertise but a strategic investment in the development of a profession critical to the reputation and competitiveness of African businesses and institutions.
The summit stands out for its dual focus. On one hand, it offers a full-day program packed with keynote addresses, specialist masterclasses, and panel discussions open to corporate communications professionals from across Sub-Saharan Africa. On the other, it features an exclusive CEO and CFO breakfast, a closed-door engagement where top executives will explore leadership communication and corporate reputation management. This rare combination highlights the summit’s ambition to influence both the strategic and operational levels of corporate communications.
The choice of Botswana as the venue is itself significant. Known for political stability and growing economic influence, Botswana is steadily becoming a hub for high-level regional engagements. Evoxity’s Executive Producer, Jacob Sesinyi, emphasized this point, noting that hosting the summit in Gaborone is part of a deliberate effort to contribute to Botswana’s standing as a center for professional and corporate excellence in Africa.
At the heart of the summit are four internationally acclaimed keynote speakers, each bringing a wealth of experience and insight. Simon Jones, a strategic communications consultant from the United Kingdom and co-author of the influential book Lie-Ability: How Leaders Build and Break Trust, will share his expertise on the delicate trust dynamics that shape leadership communication. His work focuses on how leaders’ veracity or lack thereof can either build enduring trust or irreparably damage reputations.
Neill Dhillon, a global public affairs and crisis communications strategist based in Washington, D.C., will bring a wealth of knowledge from his extensive career in public policy and crisis management. With over three decades of experience, including time as Chief of Staff to a U.S. Congressman and senior roles in international communications firms, Dhillon’s insights into crisis navigation and strategic messaging are expected to resonate deeply with the audience.
Representing the continent’s own seasoned expertise, Honorable Khusela Sangoni Diko, a Member of Parliament and Chairperson of South Africa’s Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, will participate as a communications practitioner with deep political and governmental experience. Her background as former spokesperson to President Cyril Ramaphosa and head of communications for the African National Congress underscores her unique perspective on the intersection of politics, communication, and public trust in Africa.
Last but certainly not least, François Baird, founder and chairman of Baird’s CMC and former Chairman for Africa at Edelman, the world’s largest public relations firm, will bring a strategic communications perspective grounded in his extensive work across 34 African countries and a special professional history in Botswana. Baird’s influence as a communications strategist has been pivotal in shaping how African organizations communicate in complex, evolving markets.
This summit arrives at a crucial moment for the communications profession across Sub-Saharan Africa. While corporate communications globally is evolving to encompass broader responsibilities; from brand and reputation management to crisis response and digital engagement – the African context introduces unique challenges and opportunities. Issues such as digital transformation, governance, media freedom, and socio-political dynamics demand communication professionals who are not only skilled practitioners but also strategic thinkers and ethical leaders.
Evoxity’s vision for the summit is to create an enduring platform that fosters peer engagement, the exchange of global best practices, and access to cutting-edge expertise tailored to the African context. By making the event an annual fixture in Botswana, Evoxity aims to nurture a professional community that continuously raises the bar for corporate communications standards and impact across the continent.
The summit’s CEO and CFO breakfast session, capped at 50 attendees, signifies an understanding that effective communication starts at the top. Senior executives will have the opportunity to engage in candid discussions about leadership communication and reputation management, areas that have become more critical than ever in an age where corporate missteps are amplified instantly and reputations can be irreparably harmed overnight.
Botswana’s increasing role as a destination for such professional gatherings reflects broader regional trends. Sub-Saharan Africa is witnessing a rise in business conferences, summits, and forums that aim to build capacity and foster collaboration across industries. The Evoxity summit joins this wave, but with a clear focus on the professionalization and strategic elevation of corporate communications.
The implications of this summit extend beyond the event itself. As Sub-Saharan African companies and institutions grow in scale and influence, their ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, from investors and regulators to employees and the public, will be a decisive factor in their success. The insights shared by the summit’s speakers, and the networks forged there, have the potential to ripple across sectors, driving more transparent, trustworthy, and strategic communication practices.
As Africa continues to integrate more deeply into the global economy, the demand for communications professionals who understand both local realities and global standards will only increase. The SSA Corporate Communications Summit represents a bold step in meeting this demand, signaling a maturation of the profession and a commitment to excellence that matches the continent’s ambitions.
In the words of Jacob Sesinyi, the summit is “a significant milestone for the communications profession in Sub-Saharan Africa,” one that will provide the tools and connections necessary to elevate the region’s corporate communications to new heights. With world-class expertise arriving in Gaborone this August, the stage is set for a transformative gathering that could well set the tone for the future of corporate communications across the continent.
For corporate communications practitioners, senior executives, and organizations across Sub-Saharan Africa, the Evoxity 2026 summit is more than an event. It is a call to action; to embrace the evolving role of communication as a strategic asset, and to build the skills, networks, and trust essential for navigating the complexities of today’s business and political environments. The eyes of the continent will be on Botswana this August, eager to witness the birth of a new era in African corporate communications.