Wimbart founder Jessica Hope recently reflected on a decade of shaping the narrative of African technology. Since launching in 2016, her public relations agency has grown into a vital pillar of the ecosystem, supporting more than 230 clients across 20 countries. As the firm celebrates its tenth anniversary, Hope shared insights into the evolution of the industry, the realities of entrepreneurship, and her vision for the future.
Long before she was a PR powerhouse, Hope’s relationship with technology began in a primary school classroom with a classic BBC computer and chunky floppy disks. Her early years were defined by a love for music tech, moving from Walkmans to early iPods. This curiosity eventually led her into journalism and later a transformative role as the Global Head of Communications at iROKO. After her time there ended, she took a leap of faith to start Wimbart, a story now well-known in tech circles.
Reaching the ten-year mark is a significant milestone for Hope, both personally and professionally. She admits that she never initially saw herself as a “business builder,” but rather a “PR girl.” Today, she takes immense pride in the senior team she has cultivated and the space they have created for young professionals to thrive. For her, the success of the agency is a testament to the power of organic growth and staying power in a volatile market.
In the early days, Wimbart filled a massive void. Aside from a few pioneers, very few agencies were focused exclusively on African startups. Hope believe her agency’s early success came down to a commitment to authenticity. She often turned down opportunities if she felt the team couldn’t deliver excellence, a move that built long-term trust with founders and venture capitalists who were tired of “quick-buck” approaches.
When asked about how the world views African tech today, Hope noted a shift toward more nuanced reporting. While some international outlets have pulled back their coverage, the stories being told now go beyond simple “fundraising” or “poverty-alleviation” narratives. She believes the industry is maturing, though she still advocates for more complexity and diversity in how these stories are presented to a global audience.
The journey hasn’t been without its deep personal challenges. Hope identified the loss of her father, who was also her co-founder and sounding board, as the hardest moment in Wimbart’s history. The agency itself is named after the street where he grew up in South London, making the milestone a bittersweet tribute to his influence on her life and career.
Looking toward the next decade, Hope anticipates a period of further maturation for the continent. She expects to see more mergers and acquisitions and believes Africa has a unique opportunity to lead in the field of Artificial Intelligence. Despite a current cooling in investment compared to the boom years, she remains confident in the resilience of African founders, noting that their ability to innovate under pressure remains the ecosystem’s greatest strength.
