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

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

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – Dangote Industries Limited has been named Africa’s Most Admired African Brand for the eighth consecutive year, reinforcing its position as one of the continent’s most influential corporate entities and underscoring its impact on industrialisation, economic development and social transformation across Africa.

The recognition was announced at the 16th annual Brand Africa 100: Africa’s Best Brands rankings unveiled in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The consumer-led survey, regarded as Africa’s most comprehensive brand study, covered 30 countries representing more than 85 per cent of Africa’s population and economic output.

In the latest rankings, Dangote emerged as Africa’s Most Admired Brand in the aided recall category, ahead of MTN and Vodacom. The conglomerate also ranked second in spontaneous brand recall among African brands, trailing MTN and surpassing Trade Kings.

Dangote Industries further retained its position as Africa’s Most Admired Industrial Brand and was ranked the continent’s No. 1 brand contributing to a better Africa. The recognition places the Group ahead of leading brands including MTN, DStv, Shoprite/Checkers and Trade Kings, reflecting its contributions to industrial growth, job creation, economic development and sustainable progress.

The rankings highlight the increasing influence of Dangote as one of Africa’s most recognisable homegrown brands, supported by investments across cement, fertiliser, petrochemicals, energy, sugar, salt, packaging and logistics sectors.

Brand Africa noted that despite a modest improvement in the recognition of African brands, indigenous brands still account for only 15 per cent of Africa’s 100 most admired brands, indicating the continued dominance of foreign brands in the marketplace.

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

“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.

The survey also recognised Dangote among Africa’s leading brands in sustainability and social impact, ranking it second among brands acknowledged for making positive contributions to society, people and the environment.

Despite intense competition from global brands, Dangote maintained its status as one of Africa’s leading corporate brands alongside MTN and Ethiopian Airlines. The three companies emerged as the highest-ranked African brands in the 2026 Brand Africa rankings, which were otherwise dominated by international brands such as Nike, Adidas, Samsung, Apple and Coca-Cola.

According to the report, African brands represented only 15 per cent of the Top 100 rankings, compared to 38 per cent for European brands, 28 per cent for North American brands and 19 per cent for Asian brands.

In another major milestone, Dangote Industries’ Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, was named among Africa’s 100 Most Influential Chief Marketing Officers under the inaugural Africa CMO 100 (ACMO100) list.

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

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

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 recognition adds to a growing list of accolades for Dangote Industries. In 2025, the company was inducted into the Brand Africa Hall of Fame for consistently ranking among the continent’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 championing industrialisation and building one of Africa’s most successful indigenous enterprises.