Dangote Industries Limited has retained its position as Africa’s most admired brand for the eighth consecutive year, topping the aided recall category at the 16th annual Brand Africa 100 rankings unveiled in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, while the group’s communications chief was simultaneously recognized among the continent’s 100 most influential marketing officers.

The survey, regarded as Africa’s most comprehensive consumer-led brand study, covered 30 countries representing more than 85 percent of the continent’s population and economic output. In aided recall, Dangote finished ahead of South Africa’s MTN and Vodacom. In the spontaneous recall category, it placed second among African brands, behind MTN and ahead of Trade Kings.

The group retained its position as Africa’s Most Admired Industrial Brand and claimed the top spot as the African brand contributing most to a better Africa, ahead of MTN, DStv, Shoprite/Checkers, and Trade Kings. The rankings reflected investments spanning cement, fertilizer, petrochemicals, energy, sugar, salt, packaging, and logistics.

Brand Africa Founder and Chairman Thebe Ikalafeng said converting goodwill toward African contribution into admiration for African brands represented the most urgent commercial opportunity on the continent, and that it was not enough for Africans to believe in Africa if they did not also buy made-in-Africa. He noted that despite a modest rebound in African brand recognition, homegrown brands still accounted for only 15 percent of the 100 most admired brands, compared with 38 percent for European brands, 28 percent for North American brands, and 19 percent for Asian brands.

Dangote ranked second in the sustainability and social impact category among brands recognized for doing good for society, people, and the environment, and was among only three African brands, alongside MTN and Ethiopian Airlines, to stand out on a list dominated by Nike, Adidas, Samsung, Apple, and Coca-Cola.

Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer of Dangote Industries, was selected for the inaugural Africa CMO 100 list, an initiative launched by Brand Africa in partnership with African Business magazine, MIPAD, and the African Media Agency. Chiejina was among only 20 executives chosen from West Africa and one of 17 Nigerians recognized for contributions to brand building, corporate reputation management, and strategic communications.

The group was also inducted into the Brand Africa Hall of Fame last year for consistently ranking among Africa’s most admired brands for more than a decade. Its President and Chief Executive Aliko Dangote received a Lifetime Achievement Award for championing industrialization and building one of Africa’s most successful indigenous enterprises.