Dangote Named Most Admired African Brand as CEO Receives Lifetime Achievement Award
Over the weekend, Aliko Dangote and Dangote Industries Limited achieved a significant milestone at the 15th Annual Brand Africa 100 Awards, held at Addis Ababa’s historic Africa Hall—the birthplace of the African Union. The event recognized the company’s outstanding influence and reputation across the continent.
Dangote Industries Limited was awarded the title of Most Admired African Brand, based on a comprehensive, consumer-driven survey spanning over 30 African nations. In a groundbreaking achievement, the company was also inducted into the Brand Africa Hall of Fame—the first African firm to earn this distinction—highlighting its transformative impact on African consumers and its role in fostering a positive narrative about Africa’s economic potential.
Aliko Dangote, President and CEO of Dangote Industries Limited, received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his visionary leadership in industrialization, building a globally respected African brand, and shaping Africa’s economic future through homegrown enterprise.
Joining Dangote Industries in the Hall of Fame were notable brands and organizations such as MTN, M-Pesa, Ethiopian Airlines, and South Africa, recognized for their consistent reputation as admired brands over the past 5 to 15 years and their contributions to building sustainable, globally respected brands.
Reacting to the accolades, Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief Branding & Communications Officer at Dangote Industries, expressed pride in the recognition, emphasizing that the awards reflect the company’s dedication to excellence, innovation, and sustainable development. He praised the team, partners, and stakeholders for their collective effort in advancing Africa’s economic growth.
Chiejina also paid tribute to Aliko Dangote’s inspiring leadership, stating, “This Lifetime Achievement Award underscores his visionary efforts in transforming industries, creating opportunities, and elevating the African narrative on the global stage. His legacy continues to inspire entrepreneurs and leaders across Africa.”
The awards ceremony was further highlighted by remarks from Claver Gatete, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa. Gatete commended Dangote and other Hall of Fame inductees for their role in promoting Africa’s development and called for increased investment in youth-led innovation, regional value chains, and a Pan-African Creative Innovation Fund to support promising African brands.
Gatete noted the disconnect between rising African optimism—with 68% of Africans expressing belief in the continent, up from 64% in 2024—and the decline in brand loyalty, as only 11% of the Top 100 Most Admired Brands are African, down from 14% last year. This highlights the urgent need for African brands to deepen consumer loyalty through innovation, quality, and authentic storytelling, and for Africans to support Made-in-Africa products more actively.
Thebe Ikalafeng, Founder and Chairman of Brand Africa, commented on this trend, emphasizing that African brands must invest in research and development, innovation, and authenticity to regain consumer trust and loyalty.