KFC India CMO Suhayl Limbada to keynote Nedbank IMC 2026 in Johannesburg

The Nedbank IMC has announced Suhayl Limbada, Chief Marketing Officer for KFC India and partner markets, as an international keynote speaker for its 2026 conference.

The event, which will take place on 17 September 2026 at Mosaïek in Johannesburg, will be held under the theme “SHIFT HAPPENS™. ARE YOU READY?” and is expected to bring together marketers, business leaders and industry professionals from across the continent.

Limbada brings a global marketing perspective shaped by experience across Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Recently appointed as CMO for KFC India and partner markets, he previously led KFC Thailand, where he helped transform the business into one of the most creatively and commercially recognised KFC markets globally.

His career includes leadership roles with KFC, Yum! Restaurants International and Cadbury / Mondelēz International. Known for combining cultural insight with commercial ambition, Limbada has built a reputation for understanding how brands can become more relevant by listening closely to the people and markets they serve.

Describing himself as an “accidental CMO”, Limbada’s marketing philosophy is rooted in the belief that the best marketers are anthropologists first. His approach focuses on understanding culture, human behaviour and local context before developing brand communication.

Having grown up in Africa and worked across diverse multicultural environments, Limbada has often emphasised that no two markets succeed in the same way. His work has been shaped by the warmth and relationship-driven nature of African markets, Thailand’s “sabai sabai” way of life, and the scale, pace and complexity of India.

Rather than relying on global playbooks, Limbada is known for championing local truths and encouraging brands to earn relevance within culture. His work has helped turn businesses back to growth and has been recognised at major international creative and effectiveness awards, including Cannes Lions, D&AD, The One Show, London International Awards and the Effies.

Among his achievements is Yum!’s first Gold Lion in film at Cannes for “Let There Be Cake”.

“The purpose of creativity is growth,” Limbada has often said. “Awards are simply evidence that the work was impossible to ignore.”

Dale Hefer, CEO of the Nedbank IMC, said Limbada represents the type of marketing leadership the conference aims to showcase.

“He has built a career by embracing change, stepping into unfamiliar environments and turning cultural understanding into commercial advantage,” Hefer said. “His work demonstrates what is possible when marketers are brave enough to challenge convention and genuinely understand the people they serve.”

While Limbada’s keynote topic has not yet been confirmed, organisers say his presence will add a valuable global perspective to the 2026 programme at a time when marketers are navigating significant technological, cultural and societal change.

The Nedbank IMC 2026 will again feature a curated speaker line-up that blends global insight with African context. Students from across South Africa will also be able to attend virtually at no cost through the YOUTH1000 programme, in partnership with MASA.

The Nedbank IMC is positioned as Africa’s biggest marketing conference. In 2025, it attracted more than 3,000 delegates from 20 countries, marking its largest audience since inception.

Source: Briefly News