Dangote Crowned Africa's Most Admired Brand, Aliko Dangote Honoured in Historic Triple Win at Brand Africa Awards

PHOTO CAPTION:: Plant Director, Dangote Cement Ethiopia, Jacinto Leyva (left) and Group Branding Lead, DIL, Tunde Oladipo (right), 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. 

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – May 23, 2025 –In a landmark recognition of its pan-African influence and transformative impact, Dangote Industries Limited achieved a historic triple accolade at the 15th annual Brand Africa 100 awards ceremony, held at the iconic Africa Hall in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The conglomerate was named the **Most Admired African Brand, inducted into the prestigious Brand Africa Hall of Fame, and its founder, Aliko Dangote, received a Lifetime Achievement Award**.

The "Most Admired African Brand" title followed an independent, consumer-led survey conducted across more than 30 African countries, underscoring Dangote's widespread appeal and market dominance. Its induction into the Brand Africa Hall of Fame marks a significant first for an African firm, acknowledging its profound impact on consumers and its role in shaping a positive narrative for the continent.

Aliko Dangote's Lifetime Achievement Award recognized his exemplary leadership in driving impactful industrialization, establishing a world-class African brand, and reshaping the continent's economic future through a benchmark, homegrown enterprise.

Joining Dangote Industries in the inaugural Hall of Fame were other consistent performers: MTN, M-Pesa, Ethiopian Airlines, and the nation of South Africa, all celebrated for their sustained ranking among Africa's most admired brands over the past 5 to 15 years and for building globally respected, sustainable brands.

Reacting to the monumental recognition, Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief Branding & Communications Officer at Dangote Industries Limited, stated that the honours reflect the group’s "unwavering commitment, excellence, and innovation." He emphasized that these awards 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."

Chiejina specifically extended heartfelt appreciation for the Lifetime Achievement Award bestowed upon Aliko Dangote, acknowledging his "visionary leadership" and "tireless efforts in transforming industries, creating opportunities, and championing African enterprise on the global stage." He added, "His legacy is an inspiration to generations of entrepreneurs and leaders across Africa."

The company affirmed that this recognition would further inspire it to "push boundaries, empower communities, and deliver meaningful value across Africa and beyond," reaffirming Dangote Industries’ commitment to excellence, integrity, and transformative growth.

Call for Greater African Brand Loyalty

In his keynote address, Mr. Claver Gatete, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa, lauded Aliko Dangote, the Hall of Fame inductees, and all Brand Africa laureates for their contributions to advancing the African agenda. He highlighted the synergy between Brand Africa's mission and the ECA's goals of promoting inclusive industrialization, regional integration, and private sector-led growth. Gatete 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 globalize 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.

Despite the triumphs, the 2025 rankings unveiled a critical dichotomy: rising African optimism coupled with declining brand loyalty towards homegrown brands. While 68% of Africans expressed belief in the continent—an increase from 64% in 2024—a mere 11% of the Top 100 Most Admired Brands are African. This marks a historic low, down from 14% in 2024, indicating an urgent need for African brands to translate continental belief into tangible consumer loyalty.

Thebe Ikalafeng, Founder and Chairman of Brand Africa, expressed his disappointment at the sharp drop in African brands, mirroring the ranking of non-African nations as most influential on the continent. "It’s a wake-up call for Africa—and a barometer of the continent’s lagging industrialisation agenda," Ikalafeng stated. "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."