#24
MIMI MAVUTI
FOUNDER & CEO SENGANI
Mimi Mavuti is a senior corporate executive and a notable personality in the region’s corporate communications realm, with a career spanning over 15 years.
Mimi has recently transitioned into private business from BAT after nine years. She was instrumental in driving the Company’s transformation agenda, most recently as Head of Business Communication & Sustainability for BAT in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
Mimi is currently spearheading various ventures including a made in Kenya eclectic living brand – Sengani – and others in corporate storytelling.
While she says that her longstanding career in communication was an accidental discovery, she has successfully led corporate brand building strategy for market leading brands including the then KenolKobil (now Rubis Energy) and BAT. She has also honed her skills at notable communications and public policy agencies in Uganda and the United Kingdom. This is complimented by education and qualifications, including a bachelor’s degree in mass communication, an Executive MBA and a Master of Science degree in corporate communication & public affairs.
“I had enrolled to study law for my bachelor’s but after two weeks of classes, I quickly realised it wasn’t for me and subsequently pivoted to communication. Interestingly, had never considered it an option. However, I knew and was told severally that I had a knack for language and creativity. I’m glad to have made the switch, as I’ve had the opportunity to work with amazing individuals and teams to deliver impactful outcomes.
“A significant milestone was driving BAT’s transformation into a purpose-led organisation through strategic communication. This is anchored on an ambition to reduce the health impact of its business. As important to the Company’s sustainability agenda, is environmental stewardship, creating a positive social impact and ensuring robust corporate governance. This undertaking was particularly challenging given the dynamic nature of the industry, but it has been instrumental in sharpening my capabilities.
“Another one relates to the introduction of a mass market fuel card by KenolKobil several years back. We had to build a compelling case for consumers to pay for fuel in advance, as it was not yet mainstream practise. Even though the fuel card carried a then landmark discount offer, we had to navigate consumer scepticism around questions like, “is my money safe? What if there’s a shortage and I cannot use the advance payment?” Our messaging therefore focused on connecting with our consumers at their level of concern.
“Given the different stakeholders of each organisation, I have had to adopt varied storytelling approaches. However, a consistent aspect of impactful storytelling is neurocoupling (a concept of Dr. Uri Hasson, a neuroscientist at Princeton), to facilitate alignment between the storyteller and audience. It is imperative that message development and dissemination to the audience is well thought through and informed by relevant data and insights, to deliver intended impact or utility.”
At BAT, Mimi also led sustainability reporting for the Company’s listed entities in SSA including BAT Kenya and BAT Zimbabwe, through an integrated storytelling approach.
“Key for me was to tell an authentic, wholistic and transparent impact story, while ensuring regulatory compliance.”
Her leadership saw her receive the Collaboration Award from BAT East and Southern Africa in 2024, while the inaugural sustainability report of BAT Zimbabwe published in 2025 received the Best Practices in ESG Integration Award from the ESG Network Zimbabwe.
Further speaking to her trailblazing record, Mimi was previously featured by this magazine as one of the Top 25 most influential Women in Marketing – 2022, as well as being named as one of the Standard Newspaper’s Eve Women to watch – 2023. In 2022, an internal communications campaign she led at BAT East & Southern Africa received the Internal Communications Campaign of the Year award from the Public Relations Association of Kenya (PRSK).
Mimi has also led illuminating conversations through panel moderation and speaking opportunities, including at the Africa Private Sector ESG Forum 2024 in Lagos, Nigeria, the Nairobi Securities Exchange Sustainability Reporting Masterclass and PWC Kenya Sustainability panel, in the same year. Further, she has bylined Opinion pieces on storytelling and sustainability, published in leading local media.
“My work in sustainability is a major inspiration for my new venture, Sengani, where I am working exclusively with local artisans. A key ambition for us is to contribute to social impact through creating decent work for local artisans. Storytelling will be paramount to deploying a brand narrative that resonates with our consumers, as we strive to build a community of like minds, a meaningful legacy and lasting impact.
