Dangote Industries Limited was named the Most Admired African Brand at the 15th annual Brand Africa 100 Awards in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The company won three awards and made history as the first African firm inducted into the Brand Africa Hall of Fame.
The recognition came from an independent, consumer-led survey conducted across 30 African countries. It celebrates Dangote’s major role in reshaping Africa’s brand narrative and its lasting impact on consumers across the continent.
Group President Aliko Dangote also received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his leadership in African industrialisation and for building a world-class, homegrown enterprise.
Joining Dangote in the inaugural Hall of Fame were MTN, M-Pesa, Ethiopian Airlines, and South Africa, brands consistently ranked among the continent’s most admired over the past decade.
Speaking on the awards, Group Chief Branding & Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, said the honours reflect Dangote’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and sustainable development. He added that the Lifetime Achievement Award acknowledges Aliko Dangote’s legacy as a transformative leader and a champion of African enterprise.
UN Under-Secretary-General Claver Gatete commended Dangote and other winners for advancing Africa’s development goals. He called for stronger support for youth-led innovation and African value chains.
Despite rising confidence in the continent, with 68% of Africans believing in Africa’s future, only 11% of the Top 100 Most Admired Brands are African, down from 14% in 2024. Brand Africa Chairman Thebe Ikalafeng urged African consumers to back local brands and called on African businesses to invest more in innovation, quality, and authenticity.
