Africa Must Unite (AMU), a platform connecting Africa and its diaspora through insight, storytelling, and collaboration, has announced the appointment of Rukevwe Toka, MBA, as Strategic Advisor.
Toka brings over a decade of global marketing leadership experience, having shaped brands and narratives at some of the world’s most iconic companies including BBC, Heineken, Unilever, Coca-Cola, Nestlé, and Visa. He currently serves as Head of Global Marketing for African Diaspora Audiences at Remitly, a leading international remittance company.
A Career at the Intersection of Culture, Commerce, and Community
Toka’s professional journey has been marked by his commitment to ensuring African voices are not just included in global conversations but meaningfully represented and empowered. His work sits at the intersection of culture, commerce, and community, a positioning that aligns perfectly with AMU’s mission.
Recognized as a Top Influencer in Payments across Europe, Middle East, and Africa, Toka has consistently demonstrated his ability to bridge cultural understanding with commercial success. His expertise spans brand strategy, digital marketing, consumer insights, and product marketing across diverse markets.
Building Breakthrough Brands Across Continents
Throughout his career, Toka has held significant roles across multiple multinational companies. At Nestlé, he served as Marketing and Category Leader for Culinary, where he was responsible for driving expansion and growing Maggi to become the number one most chosen consumer packaged goods product in Africa and the Middle East.
During his tenure at The Coca-Cola Company, he held multiple positions including Pioneer Executive Member and Senior Shopper Insights Manager for Africa, as well as Senior Brand Manager. At Unilever, he served as Brand and Digital Marketing Manager, where he led the execution of brand strategies during the pandemic to exceed financial targets.
His experience at The HEINEKEN Company as Head of Insights and Digital Marketing further solidified his reputation as a marketing professional who understands both the data-driven and culturally nuanced aspects of brand building.
Prior to his current role at Remitly, Toka served as Marketing Manager for West Africa at Visa, where he was responsible for managing multiple marketing programmes, ensuring maximum traction with clients, and developing client marketing initiatives aligned with the Visa brand’s key priorities.
Academic Excellence and Recognition
Toka’s academic credentials reflect his commitment to continuous learning and professional development. He holds an MBA from the prestigious London Business School, completed in 2024, and a Bachelor of Science in Medical Biochemistry from the University of Benin. He also completed an MBA in Business and Commerce from the University of South Wales and has studied at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.
His professional achievements have earned him multiple accolades. He was named among the 35 Under 35 Marketing & Communications Professionals by Brand Communicator and recognized as one of Nigeria’s Top Ten Marketing Managers of 2023 by Marketing Edge magazine.
A Shared Vision for Africa’s Future
Speaking on his appointment, Toka expressed his enthusiasm for joining AMU. “Africa’s youth and diaspora hold extraordinary potential, but potential needs structure, storytelling, and platforms to fully ignite. AMU is building exactly that, and I’m honoured to help shape this next chapter.”
