Dangote Retains Africa’s Most Admired Brand Title for Eighth Consecutive Year

Dangote Retains Africa’s Most Admired Brand Title for Eighth Consecutive Year

Dangote Industries Limited has once again been named Africa’s Most Admired African Brand, extending its dominance for an eighth consecutive year in the prestigious Brand Africa rankings, while the company’s Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, earned recognition among Africa’s 100 Most Influential Chief Marketing Officers.

Dangote Industries Limited has strengthened its reputation as one of Africa’s most influential corporate brands after emerging as Africa’s Most Admired African Brand for the eighth consecutive year in the 2026 Brand Africa rankings.

The recognition was announced during the 16th annual Brand Africa 100: Africa’s Best Brands awards ceremony held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The survey, regarded as the continent’s most extensive consumer-led brand assessment, covered 30 African countries representing more than 85 per cent of Africa’s population and economic output.

According to the latest rankings, Dangote secured the top position in the aided recall category of Africa’s most admired brands, ahead of telecommunications giants MTN and Vodacom. In the spontaneous recall category, the company ranked second among African brands, behind MTN and ahead of Trade Kings.

The company also retained its position as Africa’s Most Admired Industrial Brand and was ranked the number one African brand contributing to a better Africa. The ranking placed Dangote ahead of notable brands including MTN, DStv, Shoprite/Checkers and Trade Kings, reflecting its impact on industrialisation, employment generation, economic development and sustainable growth across the continent.

The latest recognition underscores the growing influence of the Dangote brand, which has expanded across multiple sectors including cement, fertiliser, petrochemicals, energy, sugar, salt, packaging and logistics.

Brand Africa noted that although African brands recorded a slight improvement in consumer recognition, locally owned brands still accounted for only 15 per cent of Africa’s 100 most admired brands, highlighting the continued dominance of international brands across the continent.

Speaking on the importance of supporting African brands, Brand Africa Founder and Chairman, Thebe Ikalafeng, described the promotion of indigenous brands as a critical economic priority.

“Converting goodwill towards African contribution into admiration for African brands is the most urgent commercial opportunity for the continent. It is not enough for Africans to believe in Africa; they must buy Made-in-Africa,” he said.

In addition to its leadership in brand recognition, Dangote was ranked second among brands recognised for making positive contributions to society, people and the environment, further reinforcing its standing in sustainability and social impact.

The 2026 rankings placed Dangote among Africa’s highest-rated indigenous brands alongside MTN and Ethiopian Airlines. The three companies emerged as the leading African brands on a list largely dominated by global corporations such as Nike, Adidas, Samsung, Apple and Coca-Cola.

The achievement is particularly significant given that African brands accounted for only 15 per cent of the Top 100 rankings, compared with 38 per cent for European brands, 28 per cent for North American brands and 19 per cent for Asian brands.

Further boosting the Group’s profile, its Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, was named among the inaugural Africa CMO 100 (ACMO100), a list recognising the continent’s most influential marketing, branding and reputation management professionals.

The ACMO100 initiative, launched by Brand Africa in collaboration with African Business magazine, MIPAD and the African Media Agency, celebrates executives whose work is shaping Africa’s business narrative, strengthening brand value and contributing to economic growth across the continent and its diaspora.

Chiejina was one of only 20 executives selected from West Africa and among 17 Nigerians recognised for excellence in brand development, strategic communications and corporate reputation management.

Brand Africa stated that the selection process was based on independent research, industry impact, leadership influence and contributions to the growth of brands that shape consumer perceptions and economic outcomes across Africa.

The latest accolades add to Dangote Industries’ growing list of honours. In 2025, the company was inducted into the Brand Africa Hall of Fame in recognition of its consistent ranking among Africa’s most admired brands for more than a decade.

Its President and Chief Executive Officer, Aliko Dangote, also received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his role in advancing industrialisation and building one of Africa’s most successful indigenous business enterprises.