Pan-African investor Aliko Dangote and Dangote Industries Limited have been named the ‘Most Admired African Brand,’ winning three awards at the 15th annual Brand Africa 100 awards held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
A statement by the Group’s communications unit on Monday said the development followed an independent, consumer-led survey conducted across more than 30 African countries.
Dangote Industries Limited was not only named the Most Admired African Brand but also inducted into the Brand Africa Hall of Fame, becoming the first African firm to receive this distinction.
This induction acknowledged Dangote’s transformative impact on African consumers and its influential role in shaping a positive narrative for the continent.
Aliko Dangote was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his leadership in driving impactful industrialisation, establishing a world-class African brand, and reshaping the continent’s economic future.
Other Hall of Fame inductees include MTN, M-Pesa, Ethiopian Airlines, and South Africa, recognized for consistently ranking among Africa’s most admired brands.
Reacting to the award, the Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, said the honours reflected the company’s unwavering commitment, excellence, and innovation.
“We also extend our heartfelt appreciation for the Lifetime Achievement Award presented to our Founder and President, Aliko Dangote, for building a purposeful world-class industrial brand that has exceptionally transformed African lives and the African narrative,” he added.
United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa, Mr Claver Gatete, praised Aliko Dangote and the Hall of Fame inductees for advancing the African agenda.
He emphasised the need for increased investment in youth-led innovation, regional value chains, and a Pan-African Creative Innovation Fund.
“I wish to particularly acknowledge MTN, Dangote Group, mPesa, and Ethiopian Airlines for consistently maintaining their distinguished positions among the ‘Most Admired African Brands’ category,” he said ¹.
The 2025 rankings reveal a contrast between rising African optimism and declining brand loyalty. While 68 per cent of Africans expressed belief in the continent, only 11 per cent of the Top 100 Most Admired Brands are African, marking a historic low.
Thebe Ikalafeng, Founder and Chairman of Brand Africa, emphasised the need for African brands to invest in R&D, innovate, deliver quality, and use authenticity as a differentiator.
