CAROLINE MAAJABU MBAGA
Dar es Salaam
Summary
Senior Strategic Marketing and Communications Leader with over 20 years of multi-country experience across East, West, and Southern Africa, delivering high-impact brand, communication, and stakeholder engagement strategies for global and regional organizations including Coca-Cola, Vodacom, Standard Chartered, NCBA, UN agencies, and donor-funded programs. Expert in strategic communication, integrated marketing, narrative development, stakeholder and government engagement, crisis communication, and execution of multi-market initiatives. Proven advisory capability through Real Interactiv Inc., supporting senior executives, CEOs, development partners, ministries, regulators, and media stakeholders. Recognised for multi-country leadership across 23+ African markets, delivering complex projects, facilitating cross-functional collaboration, providing senior-level counsel, and converting strategy into operational success.
Experienced with strategic planning, business development, and operational management. Utilizes strategic insights to align company goals with market opportunities. Track record of effective leadership in cross-functional team environments.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Managing Director & Lead Consultant
Real Interactiv Inc.
09.2022 - Current
- Lead strategic initiatives to enhance operational efficiency across multiple departments.
- Develop and implement comprehensive business plans to drive revenue growth and market expansion.
- Ensure regulatory and cultural alignment in work delivered
- Provide strategic communication, advisory, corporate communication, stakeholder engagement, media relations, and implementation support to corporate, development, and government-sector clients.
- Coordinate research, fieldwork, and stakeholder interviews.
- Advise senior executives, CEOs, donor institutions, ministries, and boards on communication strategy, corporate positioning, media relations, narrative development, and stakeholder engagement, PR Amplification and Media engagement plans .
- Lead implementation of multi-stakeholder programs and projects for AGRA, Jakaya Kikwete Foundation, Heineken, local government authorities, banks, CCBRT, and international partners.
- Manage strategic partnerships with agencies in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa to deliver regional programs.
- Conduct stakeholder mapping, contextual analysis, and risk-sensitive communication planning.
- Deliver corporate events, media engagements, PR strategy, training, CX workshops, and integrated communications campaigns.
- Strengthen organisational narratives and lead advisory support for brand positioning, internal communication, and executive messaging.
Head of Marketing, Communications & Citizenship
NCBA Bank / NIC Bank
02.2020 - 06.2022
- Led strategic communication, internal & external stakeholder engagement, crisis communication, rebranding, and merger communication planning.
- Directed end-to-end communication for NCBA’s merger rollout, ensuring regulatory alignment and stakeholder engagement with Bank of Tanzania, boards, ministries, and media.
- Developed and implemented crisis communication frameworks, corporate identity rollout, and national brand repositioning.
- Managed cross-functional stakeholder engagement and internal culture-alignment initiatives.
- Led integrated marketing communication strategies, brand development, media engagement, CSR strategy, and executive communication programs.
Founder & Lead Consultant
Real Interactiv Communications Africa
11.2015 - 02.2020
- Delivered strategic marketing and communication advisory services to corporate, government, and development-sector clients.
- Provided senior advisory to AGRA, UNFPA, AMREF Africa, Park Hyatt, and Stanbic Bank (Media Training for Executive Team).
- Led stakeholder and government engagement for events, media programs, and public-facing initiatives.
- Directed long-term consulting for NIC Bank Tanzania including strategic communication plans, CX insights, brand campaigns, product launches, and community engagement programs.
- Delivered multi-country coordination with partners in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.
Division/Regional Brand & Marketing Leadership Roles
Coca-Cola
01.2010 - 01.2013
- Led multi-country strategic marketing, communication, portfolio, category, and stakeholder engagement initiatives across 23+ African markets.
- Directed FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour across 23 countries, engaging Presidents, ministries, regulators, TFF, FIFA bodies, and national media.
- Led Olympics activations, youth grassroots programs, and national sports initiatives requiring high-level stakeholder coordination.
- Designed 3-year regional portfolio strategy for the Juice category; influenced investment decisions across core markets.
- Developed and deployed IMC campaigns across more than 10 countries; recognized globally for communication excellence.
- Collaborated with bottling partners, ministries, regulators, media, and senior stakeholders to execute region-wide initiatives.
Deputy Marketing Director
Vodacom Tanzania
11.2003 - 12.2004
- Led national marketing, PR, CSR, government engagement, and corporate communication initiatives.
- Managed stakeholder engagement with regulators (TCRA), ministries, TFF, national media, and CSR partners.
- Directed brand repositioning campaigns and nationwide visibility programs.
- Led crisis and corporate communication strategies for major launches and sponsorship assets.
Earlier Roles
Standard Chartered Bank Tanzania & Gambia
01.1998 - 01.2003
- Held roles including Head of Service Quality, General Manager – Wealth Management, Marketing Manager, Direct Sales Manager, and Management Trainee.
- Introduced service quality audit frameworks and CX metrics.
- Built the Wealth Management department for Standard Chartered Tanzania.
- Supported regional rollouts and cross-country stakeholder engagement.
- Led marketing and communication campaigns, client engagement programs, and brand visibility initiatives.
Education
MBA - Agribusiness
University of Aberystwyth
Wales, UK1997
BSc - Biochemistry/Food Science
University of Leeds
UKSkills
- Strategic marketing leadership
- Integrated Marketing Communications
- Corporate Communications
- Stakeholder & Government Engagement
- Crisis Communication
- Strategic Narrative Development
- Multi-Country Program Leadership
- Senior Client Advisory
- Market & Stakeholder Intelligence
- Project & Implementation Leadership
- Cross-Functional Team Leadership
- Reputation & Perception Management
- Team collaboration
Certification
- Certified Digital Marketing Professional (In Progress)
- Certificate in Directorship – Institute of Directors Tanzania
- Certified Trainer, Joseph Business School Chicago
Languages
English (Fluent)
Swahili (Advanced)
Timeline
Managing Director & Lead Consultant
Real Interactiv Inc.
09.2022 - Current
Head of Marketing, Communications & Citizenship
NCBA Bank / NIC Bank
02.2020 - 06.2022
Founder & Lead Consultant
Real Interactiv Communications Africa
11.2015 - 02.2020
Division/Regional Brand & Marketing Leadership Roles
Coca-Cola
01.2010 - 01.2013
Deputy Marketing Director
Vodacom Tanzania
11.2003 - 12.2004
Earlier Roles
Standard Chartered Bank Tanzania & Gambia
01.1998 - 01.2003
MBA - Agribusiness
University of Aberystwyth
BSc - Biochemistry/Food Science
University of Leeds
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- Founded and lead Real Interactiv Inc, delivering strategic communication, advisory, stakeholder engagement, and implementation services for AGRA, UNFPA, Heineken, banks, ministries, donor-funded programs, and private sector institutions in Tanzania and the region.
- Led multi-country brand and communication programs across 23+ African markets for Coca-Cola, including FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour, grassroots sports programs, Olympics activations, and category-wide portfolio strategies across East, Central, and West Africa.
- Spearheaded strategic communication, crisis communication, stakeholder engagement, and rebranding for NCBA/NIC Bank merger in Tanzania, interfacing with regulators, government institutions, Board members, senior media, and national stakeholders.
- Directed national marketing and stakeholder programs for Vodacom, integrating regulators, ministries, media, TFF, and CSR partners to strengthen corporate reputation and drive nationwide brand visibility.
- Delivered senior advisory and program leadership across development, financial services, telco, FMCG, hospitality, and government-related engagements in Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Gambia, Botswana, South Africa, and Uganda.
SELECTED MULTI-COUNTRY & STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT HIGHLIGHTS
- Led communication, marketing, and stakeholder engagement initiatives across 23+ African markets (Coca-Cola).
- Collaborated with government ministries, regulators, TFF, FIFA, National Olympic Committees, and Presidents during large-scale regional activations.
- Delivered advisory and implementation support for institutions in Tanzania, Kenya, Gambia, Uganda, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Namibia, South Africa, and Botswana.
- Built and managed partnerships with agencies in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa to support regional program execution.
- Engaged high-level stakeholders including CEOs, boards, ministries, donor agencies, media partners, and government institutions.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Exceptional Communication & Interpersonal Skills
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Training & Facilitation
- Thought Leadership
- Market Insight Analysis
- Strategic Planning
- Mentoring Entrepreneurs