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| Photo shows: Plant Director, Dangote Cement Ethiopia, Jacinto Leyva and Group Branding Lead, DIL, Tunde Oladipo, receive the ‘Most Admired African Brand’ award from the Founder and Chairman of Brand Africa, Thebe Ikalafeng, at the 15th Global Brand Africa 100, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Friday, May 23, 2025. |
History was made once again for Aliko Dangote and Dangote Industries Limited last weekend, as they took center stage at the 15th annual Brand Africa 100 awards in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the very city where the Organisation of African Unity (now the African Union) was founded.
In a dazzling sweep, Dangote Industries Limited clinched the title of Most Admired African Brand, an accolade determined by a comprehensive, consumer-driven survey spanning over 30 African nations.
The company outshone industry giants such as MTN, DSTV, and AZAM to claim the top spot.
Adding to this triumph, Dangote Industries Limited was inducted into the prestigious Brand Africa Hall of Fame, marking a historic first for any African enterprise.
The brand’s founder, Aliko Dangote, was also honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award, further cementing his legacy as a visionary leader and pan-African business titan.
The induction, according to a press release by the Dangote Group, recognises Dangote’s transformative impact on African consumers and its influential role in shaping a positive narrative for the continent.
Joining Dangote Industries in the inaugural Hall of Fame were MTN, M-Pesa, Ethiopian Airlines, and South Africa, for consistently ranking among Africa’s most admired brands over the past 5 to 15 years and for building sustainable, globally respected brands.
Reacting to the awards, Group Chief Branding & Communications Officer, Dangote Industries Limited, Anthony Chiejina, said the honours reflect the unwavering commitment, excellence, and innovation that define the group’s journey.
He added that they are a testament to the dedication of the company’s outstanding team, partners, and stakeholders, who continue to believe in the mission to drive sustainable development and economic growth across the continent.
"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. This accolade celebrates not only his visionary leadership but also his tireless efforts in transforming industries, creating opportunities, and championing African enterprise on the global stage. His legacy is an inspiration to generations of entrepreneurs and leaders across Africa," he said.
Noting that the recognition would further inspire the company to push boundaries, empower communities, and deliver meaningful value across Africa and beyond, Chiejina reaffirmed Dangote Industries’ commitment to excellence, integrity, and transformative growth.
In his keynote address, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa, Mr Claver Gatete, praised Aliko Dangote, the Hall of Fame inductees, and the Brand Africa laureates for advancing the African agenda.
He highlighted the alignment between Brand Africa and the ECA’s mission to promote inclusive industrialisation, regional integration, and private sector-led growth.
He also called for increased investment in youth-led innovation, regional value chains, and the establishment of a Pan-African Creative Innovation Fund to identify, finance, and globalise Africa’s most promising brands.
"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 and continuing to set benchmarks in brand leadership, innovation and continental impact," he said.
According to the organisers, the 2025 rankings reveal a stark contrast between rising African optimism and declining brand loyalty. While 68% of Africans expressed belief in the continent - up from 64% in 2024- only 11% of the Top 100 Most Admired Brands are African, marking a historic low and down from 14% in 2024.
The report indicates the urgent need for homegrown brands to translate belief into consumer loyalty, and for Africans to more actively support Made-in-Africa products and enterprises.
“It is disappointing to see the sharp drop in African brands, which mirrors the ranking of non-African nations as the most influential in Africa,” says Thebe Ikalafeng, Founder and Chairman of Brand Africa.
He continued: “It’s a wake-up call for Africa, and a barometer of the continent’s lagging industrialisation agenda. It’s not enough for Africans to say they believe in the continent, they must buy made-in-Africa.
“For that to happen, African brands must invest in R&D, continue to innovate, deliver quality, and use authenticity as a differentiator.”
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