Our Mission
Africa Practice was approached by a major mining company seeking support for its operations in DRC and Zambia as part of a global change management process.
Many stakeholders were interested in the process, increasing the risks for the client of misinformation and rumours that could undermine the company’s reputation and social licence to operate. Similarly, there were risks that vested interests opposed to the process would actively seek to distort the facts and manipulate local attitudes towards it.
Our Action
Africa Practice acted as an expert partner, engaging two in-country teams to support the client’s commercial team and manage communications and stakeholder engagement. After compiling a comprehensive list of local stakeholders, we developed an engagement strategy to raise awareness of the need for change.
In addition to developing key narratives and communication tools, the development of political and economic scenarios was critical to support the client’s engagement and strategy development.
The Outcome
In the DRC and Zambia, the various engagements, stakeholder management, and communication tools provided ensured that the client did not suffer any reputational loss during its restructuring.
In the case of Zambia, the information gathered during the engagements was used in deliberations that led to an agreement with the government to exit the market in early 2020.
