Pan-African investor Aliko Dangote and Dangote Industries Limited were named the ‘Most Admired African Brand,’ winning three awards at the 15th annual Brand Africa 100 ceremony held over the weekend in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
A statement from the Group’s communications unit on Monday said the recognition followed an independent, consumer-led survey across more than 30 African countries.
Dangote Industries was also inducted into the Brand Africa Hall of Fame, becoming the first African company to earn this honor. The induction recognizes the Group’s transformative impact on African consumers and its influential role in shaping a positive narrative for the continent.
Aliko Dangote, President and CEO of Dangote Industries Limited, received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his leadership in advancing industrialization, building a world-class African brand, and reshaping Africa’s economic future through a landmark homegrown enterprise.
Joining Dangote Industries in the inaugural Hall of Fame are MTN, M-Pesa, Ethiopian Airlines, and South Africa, all recognized for consistently ranking among Africa’s most admired brands over the past 5 to 15 years and for establishing globally respected, sustainable brands.
Commenting on the awards, Group Chief Branding & Communications Officer Anthony Chiejina said, “These honors reflect our unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation, and they celebrate the dedication of our outstanding team, partners, and stakeholders in driving sustainable development and economic growth across Africa.”
He added, “The Lifetime Achievement Award presented to our Founder, Aliko Dangote, celebrates his visionary leadership and tireless efforts in transforming industries, creating opportunities, and championing African enterprise globally. His legacy inspires generations of entrepreneurs and leaders.”
Chiejina noted the recognition will inspire the company to continue pushing boundaries, empowering communities, and delivering meaningful value across Africa and beyond, reaffirming Dangote Industries’ commitment to excellence, integrity, and transformative growth.
In his keynote, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa, Claver Gatete, praised the Hall of Fame inductees and Brand Africa laureates for advancing the African agenda. He emphasized the alignment between Brand Africa and the ECA’s mission to promote inclusive industrialization, regional integration, and private-sector-led growth. Gatete also called for increased investment in youth innovation, regional value chains, and a Pan-African Creative Innovation Fund to support and globalize Africa’s most promising brands.
“I especially commend MTN, Dangote Group, M-Pesa, and Ethiopian Airlines for maintaining their positions among the most admired African brands, setting benchmarks in brand leadership, innovation, and continental impact,” Gatete said.
According to Brand Africa’s organizers, the 2025 rankings reveal a contrast between rising African optimism—68% of Africans express belief in the continent, up from 64% in 2024—and declining brand loyalty. Only 11% of the Top 100 Most Admired Brands are African, a historic low down from 14% in 2024. The report highlights the urgent need for homegrown brands to convert belief into consumer loyalty and for Africans to actively support Made-in-Africa products.
Thebe Ikalafeng, Founder and Chairman of Brand Africa, described the drop in African brands as “a wake-up call for the continent and a barometer of Africa’s lagging industrialization agenda.”
“It’s not enough for Africans to believe in the continent—they must buy made-in-Africa. To achieve this, African brands must invest in R&D, innovate continuously, deliver quality, and leverage authenticity as a key differentiator,” Ikalafeng said.
