Soneni Phiri, head of Communications, Marketing and Events at the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), is an executive-level marketing, communications and digital transformation leader with over 15 years of experience across financial services, development finance and telecommunications.
He operates at the intersection of enterprise strategy, brand and reputation leadership, digitisation, ESG positioning and stakeholder engagement, partnering closely with CEOs, Boards and Executive Committees in highly regulated and complex environments.
Phiri’s career journey began as a Retentions Executive at MTN, then proceeded to work at Homes R Us as a Senior Sales Consultant, after which he also worked in Client Services at Discovery Health
He continued his career path at Meropa Communications as a Consultant – Communications & Marketing, where he delivered integrated communications strategies for blue-chip clients including Vodacom, Coca-Cola, ArcelorMittal, PPC Cement, 3M, and Glaceau Vitamin Water. He led crisis communications engagements within the telecoms and technology sectors
Managed investor relations communications and high-profile events, securing strong media coverage and campaign ROI across multiple industries.
Soneni also worked as a Senior Communications Manager, Nedbank where he led integrated communications strategies supporting retail and business banking growth, oversaw media relations, crisis communications and executive messaging, developed executive speeches and leadership narratives, delivered national small business engagement programs with high satisfaction ratings.
Soneni Phiri also served as an Integrated Communications Manager (Senior) at Barclays Bank where he led enterprise brand, reputation and communications strategy across African markets, Executed major rebrand and corporate identity alignment programs, Ensured regulatory compliance across all communications and branding initiatives, managed multimillion-rand budgets with improved campaign ROI, and mentored and developed leadership-ready communications teams
He also served at Standard Bank Group as the Marketing Business Partner (Senior Manager), a senior strategic partner to Business & Commercial Banking leadership across multiple African markets. He designed and executed a pan-African ecosystem marketing strategy, enhancing cross-channel integration and acquisition. He led digital customer journey transformation initiatives, improving onboarding, satisfaction, and conversion.
Soneni is currently DBSA Head of Communications, Marketing and Events, where he is responsible for Executive accountability for enterprise-wide marketing, communications, digital strategy, brand, media, events and CSI,
His experience spans leading enterprise-wide marketing and communications strategies, repositioning institutional brands, driving digital-first growth initiatives, supporting G20-aligned engagements, and enabling large-scale transformation across Africa and international markets.
Soneni thereby brings deep expertise in platform business models, digital operating models, change and transformation communications, and executive stakeholder alignment underpinned by an MBA focused on Digitisation and Platform Business Models within Financial Services.
Soneni Phiri is passionate about growing brands and tackling complex business issues, using her skills in branding, communication, online marketing, new business development, and social media marketing.
MarketingWorld Magazine’s CMO of the Week celebrates the minds behind Africa’s most progressive brands—leaders whose strategic vision, creative thinking and commitment to meaningful impact are redefining what modern marketing can achieve.
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