Dangote Industries Wins 8th Straight Most Admired African Brand Award

Dangote Industries Limited has further solidified its status as one of Africa’s best-known corporate names, winning Most Admired African Brand recognition for the eighth year in a row and placing its senior branding leadership among the continent’s most influential marketing executives. The latest accolades were announced at the 16th Brand Africa 100 awards in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Background

The Brand Africa 100 rankings are presented as Africa’s most wide-ranging consumer-driven brand study. This year’s survey drew on responses across 30 countries, covering more than 85% of the continent’s population and economic activity. The results are designed to track how consumers view brands and how those perceptions translate into broader economic outcomes.

What happened

1. Dangote Industries Limited was named Africa’s Most Admired African Brand for eight consecutive years, reinforcing its long-running presence among the continent’s top corporate brands.
2. At the same awards event, Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer at Dangote Industries, was listed among Africa’s 100 Most Influential Chief Marketing Officers.
3. In aided recall—where respondents identify brands after being prompted—Dangote was ranked Africa’s Most Admired Brand, ahead of South Africa’s MTN and Vodacom.
4. In spontaneous recall—where brands are named without prompting—Dangote placed second among African brands, trailing MTN and ahead of Trade Kings.
5. The Group also kept its position as Africa’s Most Admired Industrial Brand and was ranked No. 1 African Brand Contributing to a Better Africa, ahead of MTN, DStv, Shoprite/Checkers and Trade Kings.
6. The ranking framework highlighted Dangote’s role in industrialisation, job creation, economic development and sustainable growth across the continent.
7. Brand Africa noted that African brand recognition has seen only a modest rebound, while homegrown brands still account for just 15% of the top 100 most admired brands—pointing to the continuing strength of foreign brands in Africa’s consumer landscape.
8. Dangote Industries Limited was recognised with multiple awards at the ceremony, including Africa’s Most Admired Brand, Most Admired African Brand Doing Good for Society and the Environment, and Most Admired African Industrial Brand.
9. Brand Africa founder and chairman Thebe Ikalafeng said strengthening African brands is a major economic priority, arguing that belief in Africa is not enough and that Africans need to buy “Made-in-Africa.”
10. The survey also placed Dangote among leading brands for sustainability and social impact, with a second-place position in the category recognising brands for doing good for society, people and the environment.
11. In the 2026 Brand Africa rankings, Dangote joined MTN and Ethiopian Airlines as the highest-ranked African brands on a list otherwise dominated by global corporations such as Nike, Adidas, Samsung, Apple and Coca-Cola.
12. Despite the prominence of global brands, African brands made up only 15% of the Top 100 rankings in the 2026 list, compared with 38% for European brands, 28% for North American brands and 19% for Asian brands.
13. Chiejina’s influence was further recognised through his selection for the inaugural Africa CMO 100 (ACMO100), a programme created to identify marketing, brand and reputation leaders shaping Africa’s business narrative.
14. ACMO100, launched by Brand Africa in partnership with African Business magazine, MIPAD and the African Media Agency, honours executives whose work strengthens brand equity and supports economic growth across Africa and the diaspora.
15. Chiejina was one of 20 executives selected from West Africa and one of 17 Nigerians recognised for brand building, corporate reputation management and strategic communications.

Reaction and wider context

Brand Africa said its selection process relied on independent research, assessing industry impact, leadership influence and contributions to the growth of brands that affect consumer perceptions and economic results across the continent. The new honours add to a broader run of recognition for Dangote Industries.

Last year, the company was inducted into the Brand Africa Hall of Fame for repeatedly ranking among Africa’s most admired brands over more than a decade. Its president and chief executive, Aliko Dangote, was also awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award for driving industrialisation and building one of Africa’s most successful indigenous businesses.