By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Dangote, Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO), Channels TV and DStv have made the list of the most admired brands in Nigeria as a result of the trust consumers have for them.
The companies made the list at the 12th annual Brand Africa 100: Africa’s Best Brands 2022 rankings of the Top 100 most admired brands in Africa held at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos on Wednesday, May 25.
The firms were selected based on a survey across 29 countries that represent as much as 85 per cent of Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) and population. The 2022 survey was conducted between March and April 2022 and yielded over 80,000 brand mentions and over 3,500 unique brands.
Analysis of the survey showed that against a backdrop of internal focus as a consequence of an urgent rebuilding of economies devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the acceleration of AfCFTA’s goal of driving greater intra-African trade, after a 5-year decline, African brands have surged 4 per cent to 17 per cent from an all-time low of 13 per cent in 2020 and 2021.
Nigerian brands, Dangote (#22), Glo (#32), Jumia (#42) and Nasco (#75) are among the 17 African brands that have heralded a 4 per cent surge by African brands to 17 per cent share of the Top 100 brands in Africa.
Overall, South Africa’s MTN has returned to the Top 10 as the highest ranking African brand and traded places with Dangote as the #1 African brand recalled when prompted to consolidate its status as the #1 African brand.
Dangote, the pre-eminent African brand founded in 1981 by Nigerian Aliko Dangote, emerged as the #1 brand that symbolises African pride in a question where Brand Africa sought to establish which brand in Africa is a flag carrier and embodiment of rising optimism and pride in Africa.
South Africa, led by MTN, leads the African list, with Nigeria, led by Dangote, the overall #1 brand, at 28 per cent, Kenya with flag carrier, Kenya Airways, at 8 per cent and Ethiopia, with its flag carrier brand, Ethiopian Airline at 4 per cent.
Non-African brands, led by overall pace-setter Nike for the 5th consecutive year, continue to dominate with a share of 83 per cent of the most admired brands in Africa. Coca Cola, which has been in the Top 5 for 10 consecutive years is the #1 overall most admired brand in Nigeria.
In a separate list of the Top 25 most admired financial services brands, African brands, led by Nigeria’s GTBank for the third consecutive year dominate the rankings with 68 per cent of the share to 32 per cent for non-African brands.
DStv has consolidated its position as the #1 African media brand for the second year running, while Channels TV led as the #1 Nigerian media brand, in a category that is fast going digital and mobile.
Recognising that while the rebound in African brands is notable, the results will not be sustainable without committed and inspirational leadership, in 2022, Brand Africa recognised those leaders who are the catalyst for growth for Made in Africa brands both in corporate and in those who have championed and supported the development of great local brands in supporting industries.
GTCO’s Group CEO, Mr Segun Agbaje and Nigerian doyenne of marketing, founder and chairman of Troyka Group were awarded the inaugural Africa Brand Leadership Excellence awards for inspiring brand-led excellence that drives the growth of made in Africa brands.
The founder and chairman of Brand Africa and Brand Leadership, Thebe Ikalafeng, while commenting on the results, stated that, “As we emerge out of the pandemic and Africa seeks to assert itself, the results are very inspiring and bode well for an African renaissance led by competitive world-class African brands.”
“With an increased number of countries and greater sample size this year, more than ever, and especially so during the pandemic, mobile proved to be the effective tool for us to reach and access respondents across the continent,” said Bernard Okasi, Director of Research, GeoPoll, which has been the lead data collection partner since 2015.
Karin Du Chenne, Chief Growth Officer Africa Middle East for Kantar, which has been the insight lead for Brand Africa since its inception in 2010 disclosed that “despite volumes of brands analysed as a result of increased sample size in terms of respondents and countries, the survey continues to yield a very consistent picture of brands and trends that are transforming the continent.”
Adedapo Adesanya