Dangote Industries Limited has been honored as the “Most Admired African Brand” at the 15th annual Brand Africa 100 awards, held recently at Africa Hall in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Founded by billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote, the Nigerian conglomerate earned this top accolade through a consumer-driven survey spanning over 30 African countries. The recognition underscores Dangote Group’s wide-reaching influence and strong reputation across the continent.
In a historic milestone, Dangote Industries was also inducted into the Brand Africa Hall of Fame, becoming the very first African-owned company to receive this prestigious distinction.
Adding to the celebration, Aliko Dangote himself received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his significant contributions to African industrialization and economic growth.
Other notable inductees into the inaugural Hall of Fame included telecom giant MTN, mobile payment pioneer M-Pesa, Ethiopian Airlines, and the Republic of South Africa — all celebrated for consistent consumer admiration and brand presence over the past decade.
Speaking on behalf of the Dangote Group, Chief Branding and Communications Officer Anthony Chiejina said,
“This recognition validates the hard work being done at Dangote Industries and by countless African entrepreneurs dedicated to building globally competitive enterprises.”
The event also unveiled the 2025 Brand Africa 100 rankings, revealing a mixed picture for African brands. While 68% of respondents expressed optimism about Africa’s future — up from 64% in 2024 — the proportion of African brands featured in the Top 100 dropped to a historic low of 11%, down from 14% last year.
Brand Africa Founder and Chairman Thebe Ikalafeng described the trend as troubling:
“There is a disconnect between African optimism and actual consumer loyalty to African brands. The belief in the continent has yet to consistently translate into support for homegrown enterprises.”
United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Economic Commission for Africa Executive Secretary Claver Gatete echoed this view, advocating for increased strategic investment in youth-led innovation, regional value chains, and African-owned businesses. He proposed creating a Pan-African Creative Innovation Fund to nurture and scale local brands capable of competing globally.
While Dangote’s triple honors stole the spotlight, the ceremony’s broader discussions highlighted ongoing challenges around African industrial capacity, brand development, and economic self-determination. It served as a reminder of the work still needed to align continental aspirations with tangible market success.
Adding to the momentum, on May 23, 2025, Dangote Cement was awarded Dividend Paying Company of the Year at the Nairametrics Capital Market Choice Awards in Lagos. Competing with major players like Nigerian Aviation Company and Airtel Africa, Dangote Cement was recognized for its strong, consistent shareholder returns — further cementing its role in Nigeria’s economic development.
