Dentsu Creative has officially named Maxwell Ngari as its inaugural Chief Creative Officer for East Africa, marking a historic milestone for the agency’s operations across the region. Ngari, a seasoned Kenyan executive creative director, will now lead the creative strategy for Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Zambia, overseeing a team of 120 professionals dedicated to delivering culturally resonant and commercially impactful campaigns.
In his new capacity, Ngari’s mandate is to elevate creativity as a core business driver, foster award-winning work, and cultivate a collaborative talent ecosystem across East Africa. “Africa’s creative power is undeniable. This role allows me to unite our creative energy across borders and turn collaborative momentum into ideas that command attention on global stages,” Ngari stated.
Brandspur Brand News reports that Ngari is a multi-award-winning leader whose achievements include winning Gold and a Grand Prix at the 2025 Loeries for Tusker’s Stitched with Cheer campaign—the first Grand Prix Loerie in the design category for a Kenyan agency. His work has also received recognition at the Cannes Lions, further positioning Kenya and East Africa on the global creative map.
Since joining Dentsu in 2020, Ngari has helped grow the agency’s creative business by more than 20%, onboarding leading national brands and earning consecutive Pitcher and DMA Agency of the Year awards. Under his leadership, both Tusker and NCBA brands have secured Brand of the Year and Marketer of the Year accolades. Ngari also serves as a juror for top global awards, including Cannes Lions and The One Show.
Dawn Rowlands, CEO of Dentsu Africa, highlighted that the appointment reflects Dentsu’s commitment to creativity as a strategic growth engine. “Africa’s creative industry is setting trends globally, and multinational brands are increasingly seeking homegrown talent that resonates locally and inspires internationally. With Max at the helm, we are confident of building a more connected, future-focused creative network across Sub-Saharan Africa,” Rowlands said.
Ngari’s promotion signifies a broader strategic push by Dentsu Creative to consolidate leadership, nurture talent, and champion East Africa as a hub for innovative and globally recognised creative solutions.
