Group8 Africa appoints Arafat Manliki as Chief Growth Officer

By Zion Rufus

Group8 Africa, a prominent media-tech organization boasting an array of diverse mass and new media assets, has appointed distinguished marketing authority Arafat Manliki as its newly appointed Chief Growth Officer.

With a substantial background in commerce and a wealth of experience, Arafat introduces a fresh outlook to the Group8 Africa team.

This pivotal role stands as the pinnacle of Arafat’s two-decade journey of strategic brilliance across various industries and global enterprises.

Arafat’s impactful contributions have notably reverberated throughout Nigeria, Western and Southern Africa, and Europe. Armed with a robust career encompassing media strategy, brand management, digital strategy, multimedia production, growth hacking, go-to-market strategy, and UX research and design, he is ideally positioned to spearhead Group8’s growth initiatives, propelling the company to unparalleled heights.

Preceding his current appointment, Arafat steered instrumental responsibilities with esteemed brands such as MTN, Schneider Electric, Route28, First Sight Media, and the British Council, meticulously fulfilling brand and commercial objectives.

In 2021, Arafat concluded a remarkable 14-year chapter as Digital Marketing Manager at MTN, signaling a new chapter in his professional trajectory. Concurrently, he embraced the role of Marketing Communications & Digital Leader West Africa at Schneider Electric, a global multinational offering energy management and digital automation solutions for efficiency and sustainability.

Across his nearly two-decade odyssey, Arafat has meticulously refined his prowess in marketing communications strategy, brand management, digital marketing & transformation, growth hacking, PR, and stakeholder management. He also co-founded and serves as Chief Commercial Officer of ROUTE28, a hybrid mobile content production hub, acceleration hub, and lounge. His legacy of steering company-wide projects and high-impact cross-functional teams underscores his aptitude for driving results.

Arafat’s remarkable aptitude for translating corporate strategy into actionable marketing blueprints that materialize commercial growth, brand value, and market share objectives has been exhibited vividly in fiercely competitive emerging markets. His distinguished qualifications encompass membership in Chartered Institute of Marketing UK “MCIM,” National Institute of Marketing Nigeria “MNIMN,” Association of Digital Marketing Professionals “APM,” and Advertisers Practitioners Council of Nigeria.

He holds an MBA in Advanced AI and Automation from Nexford University, a Certificate in Disruptive Strategy from Harvard Business School, a Mini MBA in Digital Marketing from Rutgers Business School New Jersey, and a Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing UK.

Founded in 2001 as Consolidated Media Associates, Group8 Africa has evolved into a global media-tech powerhouse. Showcasing an array of media assets, including 12 television channels (both satellite and terrestrial), radio stations (both terrestrial and digital), and a number of popular experiential platforms, Group8 Africa has indelibly etched itself as the preeminent media network across Africa.