The Dangote brand has once again solidified its premier position on the continent, achieving remarkable success at the 15th annual Brand Africa 100 awards recently held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The conglomerate was honored with three prestigious accolades: Most Admired African Brand, induction into the Brand Africa Hall of Fame, and the Lifetime Achievement Award for its president, Aliko Dangote, underscoring its growing influence and consistent admiration across Africa.

At the distinguished ceremony, Dangote Industries Limited was named the 'Most Admired African Brand,' a recognition derived from an independent, consumer-led survey spanning over 30 African countries. Further cementing its legacy, the brand was inducted into the Brand Africa Hall of Fame, becoming the first African firm to receive this distinction. This induction acknowledges Dangote’s transformative impact on African consumers and its influential role in shaping a positive narrative for the continent. Aliko Dangote was personally honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his leadership in driving impactful industrialisation, establishing a world-class African brand, and reshaping the continent’s economic future.

This sustained success is attributed to a deliberate and strategic approach to brand building, focusing on reputation, expert industry knowledge, and consistency. Dangote's ability to achieve top-of-mind awareness has been pivotal, evidenced by its consistent recognition as Nigeria’s most valuable brand for seven consecutive years by Top 50 Brands Nigeria, securing an impressive 89.6 percent on the brand strength measurement index in its latest ranking. This demonstrates the brand's resilience in the face of challenging market conditions and justifies premium prices with positive perceptions.

The 2025 Brand Africa 100 rankings, however, presented a stark contrast for African brands overall. While 68% of Africans expressed belief in the continent—up from 64% in 2024—only 11% of the Top 100 Most Admired Brands are African, marking a historic low and a decrease from 14% in 2024. Thebe Ikalafeng, Founder and Chairman of Brand Africa, described this as a “wake-up call for Africa” and a “barometer of the continent’s lagging industrialisation agenda.” He emphasized the urgent need for homegrown brands to translate belief into consumer loyalty and for Africans to more actively support Made-in-Africa products, urging brands to invest in R&D, innovate, deliver quality, and use authenticity as a differentiator.

Reacting to the awards, Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief Branding & Communications Officer for Dangote Industries Limited, stated that the honours reflected the “unwavering commitment, excellence, and innovation” defining the group's journey. He expressed heartfelt appreciation for the Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Aliko Dangote, praising his visionary leadership in transforming industries and championing African enterprise. Chiejina affirmed that this recognition would further inspire Dangote Industries to “push boundaries, empower communities, and deliver meaningful value across Africa and beyond.”

In his keynote address, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa, Mr. Claver Gatete, praised Aliko Dangote, the Hall of Fame inductees, and the Brand Africa laureates for advancing the African agenda. He highlighted the alignment between Brand Africa and the ECA’s mission to promote inclusive industrialisation, regional integration, and private sector-led growth, calling for increased investment in youth-led innovation, regional value chains, and the establishment of a Pan-African Creative Innovation Fund.

Ultimately, the Dangote brand's strength is rooted in trust and a consumer-centric philosophy. By consistently putting consumers first and meeting their needs with quality products and services, Dangote has cultivated a highly recognized and admired brand across Africa, demonstrating that meaningful, different, and salient brands are best placed to weather economic disruptions and maintain leadership.