Dangote Industries Limited has reinforced its standing as one of Africa’s most influential corporate brands after being named Africa’s Most Admired African Brand for the eighth consecutive year. The company also recorded another major achievement as its Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, was listed among Africa’s 100 Most Influential Chief Marketing Officers.

Nairametrics reported that the recognition was announced during the 16th annual Brand Africa 100: Africa’s Best Brands rankings ceremony held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The survey, widely regarded as the continent’s most comprehensive consumer-led brand study, covered 30 African countries representing more than 85 per cent of Africa’s population and economic output.

In the latest rankings, Dangote emerged as Africa’s Most Admired Brand in the aided recall category, outperforming South African telecommunications giants MTN and Vodacom.

In the spontaneous recall category, Dangote ranked second among African brands, behind MTN and ahead of Trade Kings.

The company also maintained its position as Africa’s Most Admired Industrial Brand and secured the top spot as the No. 1 African Brand Contributing to a Better Africa. In that category, it ranked ahead of MTN, DStv, Shoprite/Checkers and Trade Kings, reflecting its contributions to industrialisation, job creation, economic growth and sustainable development across the continent.

During the awards ceremony, Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Cement Ethiopia, Danilo Trugillo, received one of the company’s awards from the President of the Ethiopian Marketing Professionals Association and Chief Marketing Officer of Population Services International, Fana Abay, while Brand Africa Founder and Chairman, Thebe Ikalafeng, looked on. Dangote Industries Limited was recognised as Africa’s Most Admired Brand, Most Admired African Brand Doing Good for Society and the Environment, and Most Admired African Industrial Brand.

The rankings further underscored Dangote’s growing influence as one of Africa’s most recognisable corporate brands. The company’s reputation has been built on investments across several sectors, including cement, fertiliser, petrochemicals, energy, sugar, salt, packaging and logistics.

Brand Africa noted that although African brand recognition recorded a modest improvement, indigenous brands still accounted for only 15 per cent of the continent’s 100 most admired brands. This, it said, highlights the continued dominance of foreign brands in African markets.

Brand Africa Founder and Chairman, Thebe Ikalafeng, stressed the need for stronger support and patronage of African brands as a critical economic priority for the continent.

“Converting goodwill towards African contribution into admiration for African brands is the most urgent commercial opportunity for the continent. It is not enough for Africans to believe in Africa, they must buy Made-in-Africa,” he said.

The survey also placed Dangote among Africa’s leading brands in sustainability and social impact, ranking it second among brands recognised for making positive contributions to society, people and the environment.

At the event, Ikalafeng, Trugillo and Abay displayed some of the awards won by Dangote Industries Limited. The Group received honours as Africa’s Most Admired Brand, Most Admired African Brand Doing Good for Society and the Environment, and Most Admired African Industrial Brand.

Despite the continued dominance of global brands in Africa, Dangote maintained its place among the continent’s leading corporate brands alongside MTN and Ethiopian Airlines.

The three brands emerged as the highest-ranked African brands in the 2026 Brand Africa rankings, distinguishing themselves on a list largely dominated by international brands such as Nike, Adidas, Samsung, Apple and Coca-Cola.

The achievement is particularly significant given that African brands represented only 15 per cent of the Top 100 rankings, compared to 38 per cent for European brands, 28 per cent for North American brands and 19 per cent for Asian brands.

Further strengthening the company’s profile, Anthony Chiejina was selected for the inaugural Africa CMO 100 (ACMO100) list, which celebrates the continent’s most influential marketing, brand and reputation leaders.

The ACMO100 initiative was launched by Brand Africa in partnership with African Business magazine, MIPAD and the African Media Agency. The programme recognises marketing executives whose work is helping to shape Africa’s business narrative, strengthen brand value and drive economic growth across Africa and among the diaspora.

Chiejina was among only 20 executives selected from West Africa and one of 17 Nigerians recognised for outstanding contributions to brand development, corporate reputation management and strategic communications.

According to Brand Africa, the selection process was based on independent research, industry impact, leadership influence and contributions to the growth of brands that shape consumer perceptions and economic outcomes across the continent.

The latest recognition adds to an expanding list of honours for Dangote Industries Limited. Last year, the company was inducted into the Brand Africa Hall of Fame in recognition of its consistent ranking among Africa’s most admired brands over more than a decade.

Its President and Chief Executive, Aliko Dangote, also received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his role in promoting industrialisation and building one of Africa’s most successful indigenous enterprises.