By Ayomide Otitoju
Africa’s foremost industrialist, Aliko Dangote, and his conglomerate, Dangote Industries Limited, were honoured with three prestigious awards at the 15th annual Brand Africa 100 Awards held at the historic Africa Hall, headquarters of the African Union.
Dangote Industries Limited was named the Most Admired African Brand following a comprehensive consumer-led survey conducted across more than 30 African countries. The company also made history as the first African firm to be inducted into the Brand Africa Hall of Fame, a recognition reserved for brands that have made a transformative impact on African consumers and the continent’s global image.
Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries, was conferred with a Lifetime Achievement Award in acknowledgment of his pioneering role in industrialisation, the creation of a globally respected African brand, and his contribution to reshaping Africa’s economic landscape through homegrown enterprise.
Joining Dangote Industries in the inaugural Hall of Fame were MTN, M-Pesa, Ethiopian Airlines, and South Africa—all recognised for consistently ranking among Africa’s most admired brands over the past decade and more.
Commenting on the accolades, Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief Branding & Communications Officer at Dangote Industries, said the honours affirm the company’s commitment to innovation, excellence, and sustainable growth.
“These awards are a testament to our team’s dedication and to our founder’s vision of building a world-class industrial brand that drives socio-economic transformation across Africa,” Chiejina said. “The Lifetime Achievement Award celebrates not only Aliko Dangote’s visionary leadership but his enduring efforts to champion African enterprise on the global stage.”
The event’s keynote address was delivered by Mr. Claver Gatete, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa. Gatete lauded the award recipients for advancing the African development agenda, highlighting their roles in promoting regional integration, youth-led innovation, and private sector-driven growth.
“Brands like MTN, Dangote, mPesa, and Ethiopian Airlines continue to set benchmarks for innovation and impact. They exemplify what is possible when African brands embrace excellence and lead with purpose,” Gatete said.
Despite the celebrations, the 2025 Brand Africa rankings revealed a sobering trend: only 11% of the Top 100 Most Admired Brands are African, down from 14% in 2024—marking the lowest representation of homegrown brands in the award’s history. However, African optimism remains strong, with 68% of survey respondents expressing belief in the continent’s potential, up from 64% last year.
Brand Africa Founder and Chairman, Thebe Ikalafeng, described the findings as a call to action for African brands to deepen investment in research, innovation, and authenticity.
“It’s not enough to believe in Africa—we must buy Africa,” Ikalafeng said. “African brands must deliver quality, build trust, and differentiate through authenticity to convert optimism into consumer loyalty.”
The 2025 Brand Africa Awards underscore the urgent need to strengthen local industries and foster globally competitive African enterprises capable of driving inclusive growth across the continent.
