How the “One Roche” strategy redefined ESMO Africa 2026
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The ESMO Summit Africa, a three-day educational event created for oncology professionals, served as a strategic proof of concept for our unified “One Roche” vision. The pharmaceutical affiliates in South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria partnered to create a hub for Pan-African collaboration to strengthen opportunities and navigate complex treatment landscapes.
The ESMO Africa Summit demonstrated how cross-affiliate synergy elevates our impact. By uniting breast cancer squads across the continent – led by Samantha Naiker and Solomon Adeiza Abraham, we transitioned from localized efforts to continent-wide, outcomes-based engagement.
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The Strategy: An Omni-Channel Powerhouse
In addition, the summit’s success was rooted in a deliberate, multi-channel approach to engaging top-tier healthcare professionals on the "HER2 Revolution" and the importance of the curative window in early breast cancer (eBC). The intent behind this rollout was to move away from traditional, static congress participation toward an outcome-focused model that ensured Roche’s portfolio positioning was consistent across every digital and physical touchpoint.
The strategy had an almost immediate impact, resulting in over 320 HCP registrations and the sponsorship of 31 key regional oncologists. Furthermore, the affiliate collaboration and integration enabled healthcare professionals to access international expertise and share localized knowledge, thereby creating a Pan-African community of practice focused on early diagnosis and improved patient outcomes. “Early detection in Africa is not just a clinical goal but a societal imperative. Detecting cancer early preserves the "societal value" of women who are often the economic and foundational pillars of their families.” - Kovashni Nair, Ad Interim Country Medical Director, in South Africa.
Reflecting on how the "above-country" collaboration transformed Roche’s regional engagement, Samantha Naiker, Disease Area Squad Lead for Oncology in South Africa, noted, “By uniting affiliates across Africa, we reinforced Roche's position as a trusted partner and created meaningful value for patients and healthcare systems across the continent.”
The “One Roche” approach was felt deeply by every team member who contributed. “We aren’t just participating in the conversation; we are shaping the evolving treatment algorithm,” Solomon Adeiza Abraham, Disease Area Squad Lead for Oncology, in Nigeria.
Ultimately, the success of ESMO Africa 2026 won’t be measured in registration numbers or symposium attendance; it will be measured in the lives that Roche and its partners aim to save. Standing together as One Roche, the team proved to be dedicated partners in the breast cancer patient journey.
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