Class of 2027 Africa 2 DARE, Head of Brand and Marketing at WEMA Bank, Mabel Adeteye; Chief Communications Officer, Access Bank, Ameachi Okobi, and Head of Marketing at Friesland Campaign WAMCO, Maureen Ifada
From John Silas
Creative house, Black At, has unveiled the Africa 2 Class of its 2027 DARE Awards initiative, recognising three senior marketing and communications executives for their leadership and contributions to Africa’s evolving brand and creative industry.
Named to the Africa 2 Class are the Head of Brand and Marketing at Wema Bank, Mabel Adeteye; Marketing Director at FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria, Maureen Ifada; and the Chief Communications Officer at Access Bank, Amaechi Okobi.
They were announced during Black At’s executive dinner in Lagos, where leading brand, marketing and communications professionals gathered to celebrate creative excellence, leadership and innovation across the continent.
The executives were recognised for demonstrating exceptional influence, leadership and excellence in the marketing, brand and communications space.
The Lagos event followed the launch of the 2027 DARE Awards journey in Johannesburg, South Africa, as Black At expands its global network of influential brand leaders.
Over the next year, members of the Africa 2 Class will participate in Black At’s global DARE platform alongside cohorts from Africa, North America, Europe and other international markets.
The programme is designed to provide global visibility, thought leadership opportunities, industry collaboration and participation in conversations shaping the future of brands, creativity and culture.
According to Black At, the DARE Awards were established to go beyond traditional recognition by identifying the executives driving meaningful change within their industries and giving them a global platform to share their ideas, experiences and leadership journeys.
The organisation also announced the next stop on the DARE Awards’ global tour as New York City, on September 22, 2026, during the United Nations General Assembly week. The event will introduce a new North American DARE class, further strengthening connections among brand and creative leaders across Africa, North America and Europe.
Through the DARE Awards and its global executive programming, Black At says it remains committed to creating access, fostering meaningful connections and elevating leaders shaping the future of the global marketing, brand and creative industries.
