Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) has reinforced its position as Africa’s most influential corporate brands after emerging as the continent’s Most Admired African Brand for the eighth consecutive year.

In the same vein, its Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, was named among Africa’s 100 Most Influential Chief Marketing Officers.

The recognition was announced at the 16th annual Brand Africa 100: Africa’s Best Brands rankings unveiled in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The survey, regarded as Africa’s most comprehensive consumer-led brand study, covered 30 countries representing more than 85 per cent of the continent’s population and economic output.

In the latest rankings, the DIL emerged as Africa’s Most Admired Brand in aided recall, ahead of South Africa’s MTN and Vodacom. In the spontaneous recall category, it ranked second among African brands, behind MTN and ahead of Trade Kings.
The Group also retained its position as Africa’s Most Admired Industrial Brand and was ranked the No. 1 African Brand Contributing to a Better Africa, ahead of MTN, DStv, Shoprite/Checkers and Trade Kings, reflecting its significant contribution to industrialisation, job creation, economic development and sustainable growth across the continent.

The rankings show Dangote’s growing influence as one of Africa’s most recognisable corporate brands, built on investments spanning cement, fertiliser, petrochemicals, energy, sugar, salt, packaging and logistics.

Brand Africa noted that despite a modest rebound in African brand recognition, homegrown brands still account for only 15 per cent of Africa’s 100 most admired brands, highlighting the continued dominance of foreign brands across the continent.

Brand Africa Founder and Chairman, Thebe Ikalafeng, described the promotion and support of African brands as a critical economic imperative 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.

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The survey also ranked Dangote among Africa’s leading brands in sustainability and social impact, placing second in the category of brands recognised for doing good for society, people and the environment.

Despite the dominance of global brands across Africa, Dangote has cemented its position as one of the continent’s leading corporate brands, alongside MTN and Ethiopian Airlines.

The three emerged as the highest ranked African brands in the 2026 Brand Africa rankings, standing out on a list dominated by global names such as Nike, Adidas, Samsung, Apple and Coca-Cola. The achievement is notable given that African brands accounted for just 15 per cent of the Top 100 rankings, compared with 38 per cent for European brands, 28 per cent for North American brands and 19 per cent for Asian brands.

Further strengthening the Group’s standing, its Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, was selected for the inaugural Africa CMO 100 (ACMO100) list, which recognises the continent’s most impactful marketing, brand and reputation leaders.

The ACMO100 initiative, launched by Brand Africa in partnership with African Business magazine, MIPAD and the African Media Agency, honours marketing executives whose work is shaping Africa’s business narrative, strengthening brand equity and driving economic growth across the continent and the diaspora.

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

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

The latest recognition adds to a growing list of honours for Dangote Industries, which was inducted into the Brand Africa Hall of Fame last year for consistently ranking among Africa’s most admired brands over more than a decade. Its President and Chief Executive, Aliko Dangote, was also honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award for championing industrialisation and building one of Africa’s most successful indigenous enterprises.

Persistent disagreements involving foreign training placements have escalated to trade disputes with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), shutting down the operations of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), which forced the regulator to suspend operations nationwide.

Members of the PENGASSAN blocked entrances and halted administrative functions, demanding clarity on training allocations and alleging favoritism in who was chosen for overseas programmes.

It was gathered that the PENGASSAN embarked on an indefinite nationwide strike, shutting down all commission offices across Nigeria, because of a dispute over foreign training.

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The industrial action, which commenced on Monday, led to a total shutdown of regulatory activities at NUPRC headquarters in Abuja and all field offices nationwide, effectively grounding administrative and operational functions of the upstream petroleum regulator.

Sources familiar with the development said the strike followed the breakdown of negotiations between the union and management over the handling of staff training programmes, particularly the commission’s position that capacity-building should be conducted locally rather than through overseas training.

According to the sources, management had insisted that training programmes particularly for Factory Acceptance Test for Positive Displacement (PD) Meters be domestically delivered within Nigeria to reduce cost and strengthen local institutional capacity, a stance the workers reportedly rejected.

A security source said that representatives of the parties are presently meeting at the office of the National Security Adviser where a resolution will likely be reached today.

Two police officers were reportedly killed after suspected hoodlums attacked the convoy of the Chief of Staff to Anambra State Governor, Dr. Ben Nwankwo, along the Amansea–Ufuma Road in the state.

The attack, which occurred on Sunday night, targeted the convoy of the governor’s aide. While Dr. Nwankwo escaped unhurt, two security personnel attached to the convoy were feared dead during the ambush.

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Reacting to the incident, the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, ordered an immediate manhunt for the attackers and issued a 48-hour ultimatum to police formations and tactical units across the state to arrest those responsible.

Speaking during an emergency security meeting at the State Police Command Headquarters, Orutugu described the attack as a direct challenge to the authority of the state and vowed that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.

The police commissioner directed officers to intensify efforts to track down the suspects, stressing that the killing of security personnel would not be tolerated under his watch.

He also expressed concern over intelligence reports suggesting that some criminal elements now disguise themselves in police and military uniforms to evade detection and carry out attacks.

Orutugu urged residents and commuters to remain vigilant, particularly those travelling along the Amansea–Ufuma Road, which he described as a vulnerable route increasingly exploited by criminal gangs.

He assured the people of Anambra State that intelligence-led operations had already commenced and expressed confidence that the suspects would be apprehended within the stipulated 48-hour period.

The police command reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property across the state while intensifying efforts to restore security and public confidence.