Africa is growing fast and the growth has been frenzied in some areas for decades – mostly because of the Africa’s relatively younger population as compared to other parts of the world. No doubt, Africa’s 30 years of brand building has seen the emergence of some corporate giants such as MTN Group and DStv, among others. These primarily African brands are today competing in the global space.
Arguably, MTN Group ($4.6billion) is Africa’s most admired and valued brand. This South African telecom giant is the world’s 15th-largest mobile service provider by subscriber numbers with a presence in 22 African and Middle East markets. The scope of coverage sampled people in 22 countries with the main function of finding out which brand participants most valued and admired.
Uganda was ably represented by Mukwano Group, which is one of East Africa’s largest household goods manufacturers. The company stood among the continent’s giants beating off competition from a horde of Nigerian companies to become the fifth most admired brand on the African continent.
Nigeria, as always, fought through the ranks posting five companies among the most valued brands. Nigerian brands enjoy an extremely large internal market depending on a population of more than 140 million people, which acts as the primary consumers of products produced from within the country.
Mobile telecommunications operator, Globacom (in second position), Dangote, a manufacturing conglomerate owned by Africa’s richest man, Ariko Dangote (in third), Zenith Bank (in seventh), Peak Milk (eighth), Star Beer (tenth) all from Nigeria completed the list of 10 most valuable companies on the continent.
Africa has been beaming with rapid growth and indeed a number of business brands have come through to compete on the global stage. Jonathan Adengo looks at some of Africa’s most admired and valued brands.
Tusker, Kenya’s beer brand (in fourth position), Simu TV from Tanzania (sixth position), Sasco from South Africa (in ninth position) were among the giants viewed as the most admired brands.
Africa, which has been ranked as one of the fastest growing economies across the globe, continues to present tests to companies amid heavy currency depreciations, among other challenges.
