Unveiling the Story Behind the Storyteller: Joyce Imiegha’s Journey to Tech PR

Fadekemi Ajakaiye

Joyce Imiegha, a seasoned public relations (PR) professional, has carved out a distinctive space in the tech industry as a visionary storyteller, committed to amplifying the voices of African innovators often overlooked by mainstream media.

As the founder of Reneé, a tech PR Agency based in Lagos and London, Joyce credits her success to an insatiable curiosity that began in childhood. “I was incredibly curious; I wanted to know how things worked,” she recalls, reflecting on her early days spent dismantling household electronics and diving into the world of technology. This natural inquisitiveness became the foundation of her professional identity. “I get restless and bored if I focus on just one thing,“ Joyce admits. “I need multiple challenges to stay engaged.“

Although she initially planned to study accounting, Joyce ultimately pursued a degree in business administration—a decision she now considers pivotal. “It turned out to be an excellent decision because that helped me build the foundation in not just business but management in general,“ she explains.

Her career trajectory spans an impressive range of roles, including event management, music PR, editorial management, digital marketing, talent management, corporate PR, and filmmaking, often juggling multiple roles simultaneously.

The demanding pace eventually led to burnout, with Joyce welcoming the forced pause of the COVID-19 pandemic. “As the pandemic forced global shutdowns, trust me, I was the happiest person,“ she confesses. “2020 was one of my best years because it helped me slow down.“
The pandemic break provided clarity, leading to her resignation from the entertainment industry. Her career took a decisive turn while travelling across Africa with Peace Itimi and Founders Connect, producing storytelling content about tech entrepreneurs.

Joyce identified a crucial gap in the tech ecosystem during a trip to Kenya. “We didn’t know much about the Kenyan tech founders and could not find anything about them on the internet,“ she notes. “There appeared to be a gap, whether from a lack of awareness among journalists or limited interest from the media in sharing these particular stories.“

This realisation led Joyce to start her PR agency to help African tech innovators be seen and heard globally. Beyond traditional media coverage, she wanted to identify innovators with global potential and help them get there.

The journey hasn’t been without challenges. “The biggest hurdle is getting founders and startups to see the value of storytelling,“ she explains. Many entrepreneurs remain wary of media engagement because they worry their stories may be inaccurately portrayed.

Joyce has developed a reputation for protecting founders’ narratives while demonstrating the impact of authentic storytelling. Her approach has helped numerous startups gain visibility, secure funding, and build credibility in the ecosystem.

Having completed a master’s degree in psychology over a year ago, Joyce continues to evolve professionally. “There’s still so much more I want to do,“ she says, suggesting that her current tech PR success may be another chapter in her multifaceted career journey.