Across Africa, the creative economy continues to grow shaping culture, influencing behavior and redefining how brands connect with people. Yet much of marketing still operates at the surface level, focused on visibility rather than meaning. For Duncan Gwaro, founder of 24:7 Group, this gap became an opportunity.
Founded in 2013, 24:7 Group is a purpose-driven creative and experiential marketing
company based in Nairobi, operating at the intersection of creativity, sustainability and social impact.
From the beginning, Duncan set out to solve a deeper problem:The disconnect between brands and people.

Reimagining the Role of Creativity

Rather than treating marketing as a transactional function, Duncan envisioned it as a tool for building meaningful human experiences.
Experiences that:

• Inspire culture
• Strengthen communities
• Deliver social and environmental impact

This approach positioned 24:7 Group differently from traditional agencies. It was not just about campaigns. It was about connection and impact.

Navigating Early Challenges

The early journey was not without resistance. Dunn faced three major challenges:

• Building credibility in a competitive industry
• Building credibility in a competitive industry
• Limited access to capital
• Convincing clients that purpose-driven work could deliver commercial results

There were moments when uncertainty tested the vision. But belief in purpose-led work and the power of creativity kept the business moving forward.

The Defining Shift

The turning point came when Dunn made a critical decision: To fully define 24:7 Group as a purpose-led creative collective.
This meant embedding sustainability and impact at the core of the business not as an add-on, but as the foundation. That clarity transformed how clients, partners and stakeholders engaged with the company.

Building a Multi-Dimensional Creative Enterprise

Today, 24:7 Group operates a diversified model that includes:

• Experiential marketing
• Digital and broadcast content production
• Events and large-scale festivals
• Technology-driven platforms
• Brand partnerships and integrated campaigns

The company serves leading brands, institutions and development organizations both locally and internationally. Its work has received recognition across multiple platforms, reflecting both creativity and impact.

The Builder Mindset

For Duncan, the journey has been defined by purpose-driven resilience.
Building the enterprise required sacrifices time, financial stability and personal comfort.
But it also reshaped his definition of success. Today, success is no longer just about growth.
It is about:

• Legacy
• Meaningful impact
• Creating opportunities for others

At the core of his philosophy is a powerful belief “Moving people is the key to moving
business.”

What Comes Next

Looking ahead, 24:7 Group is focused on:

• Scaling across Africa
• Deepening its sustainability and technology offerings
• Positioning itself as a global force for good in experiential marketing

The ambition is clear:
To build a creative enterprise that not only drives business outcomes but shapes culture and impact at scale.

Faces of Enterprise

Duncan Gwaro is part of the Faces of Enterprise Season I Cohort, an initiative powered by Sevenstone Investments Management Limited. This platform highlights founders building credible, impactful enterprises across Africa.
These are the builders’ shaping industries, influencing culture and redefining what enterprise means.