Nigeria’s creative agency X3M Ideas has secured a position on the Financial Times of London’s list of Africa’s Fastest-Growing Companies for 2025.
The agency ranked 31st among 130 companies, marking a notable achievement in the marketing communication sector, which is typically underrepresented compared to fintech, e-commerce, energy, and financial services.

The Financial Times ranking, compiled in partnership with global research firm Statista, assesses companies based on their compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2020 to 2023.

The evaluation relies on verified financial data submitted and certified by senior executives to ensure credibility.

The list aims to capture a snapshot of high-growth businesses across Africa, though the Financial Times acknowledges that the ranking may not be exhaustive due to the private nature and limited financial disclosures of many companies on the continent.

This year’s ranking reflects growth through factors including revenue increases and workforce expansion. It also highlights the prominent roles of South Africa and Nigeria, Africa’s two largest economies, which together account for 79 of the 130 companies listed.

The report states that these economies “continue to dominate the Financial Times’ ranking of the fastest-growing African companies,” even as it points to challenges faced by companies from smaller African nations in scaling across the continent.

“More negatively, it also hints at how difficult it has been for companies from smaller countries to build a continental presence in what is still a highly fragmented landscape,” the report adds.

X3M Ideas’ inclusion on the list signals its consistent expansion amid Africa’s complex business environment and reflects its resilience and innovation within the marketing and communications industry.