Dangote Industries Limited has been named the continent’s Most Admired African Brand for the eighth year running.
The milestone was announced at the 16th annual Brand Africa 100: Africa’s Best Brands rankings unveiled in Addis Ababa, according to an official statement.
The recognition was announced at the 16th annual Brand Africa 100: Africa’s Best Brands rankings, unveiled in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, according to the company’s statement.
The survey—widely regarded as the continent’s most comprehensive consumer-led brand study—covered 30 countries representing over 85% of Africa’s population and GDP.
In the latest rankings, Dangote clinched the top spot for African brands in aided recall, outperforming South Africa’s MTN and Vodacom. In the spontaneous recall category, the conglomerate ranked second among African brands, just behind MTN.
Beyond overall brand admiration, Dangote Group retained its position as Africa’s Most Admired Industrial Brand and was ranked the No. 1 African Brand Contributing to a Better Africa—placing ahead of giants like MTN, DStv, and Shoprite.
The recognition underscores the Group’s massive impact on continental industrialization, job creation, and sustainable economic growth through its diversified investments in cement, fertilizer, petrochemicals, energy, and logistics.
However, the report also highlighted a broader challenge for local economies: homegrown brands still account for only 15% of Africa’s top 100 most admired brands.
Reacting to the data, Brand Africa Founder and Chairman, Thebe Ikalafeng, emphasized that promoting and supporting indigenous African brands remains a critical economic imperative for the continent.
“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 ranked Dangote among Africa’s leading brands in sustainability and social impact, placing second in the category of brands recognised for doing good for society, people, and the environment.
Despite the dominance of global brands across Africa, Dangote has cemented its position as one of the continent’s leading corporate brands, alongside MTN and Ethiopian Airlines.
The three emerged as the highest-ranked African brands in the 2026 Brand Africa rankings, standing out on a list dominated by global names such as Nike, Adidas, Samsung, Apple, and Coca-Cola.
The achievement is notable given that African brands accounted for just 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 strengthening the Group’s standing, its Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, was selected for the inaugural Africa CMO 100 (ACMO100) list, which recognises the continent’s most impactful marketing, brand, and reputation leaders.
The ACMO100 initiative, launched by Brand Africa in partnership with African Business magazine, MIPAD, and the African Media Agency, honours marketing executives whose work is shaping Africa’s business narrative, strengthening brand equity, and driving 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 their contribution to brand building, corporate reputation management, and strategic communications.
According to Brand Africa, the selection process was based on independent research, industry impact, leadership influence, and contribution to the growth of brands that shape consumer perceptions and economic outcomes across Africa.
The latest recognition adds to a growing list of honours for Dangote Industries, which was inducted into the Brand Africa Hall of Fame last year for consistently ranking among Africa’s most admired brands over more than a decade.
Its President and Chief Executive, Aliko Dangote, was also honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award for championing industrialisation and building one of Africa’s most successful indigenous enterprises.