Business

Dangote Named Most Admired African Brand, Bags Two More Awards in Addis Ababa

Published

8 months ago

May 25, 2025

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Dangote Industries Limited has been named the most admired African Brand after receiving two more major awards in Addis Ababa over the weekend.

This is another historic milestone for the pan-African investor and the Dangote Industries Limited.

The company garnered three prestigious accolades at the 15th annual Brand Africa 100 awards, held at the iconic Africa Hall in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia—the birthplace of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union (AU).

Dangote Industries Limited was named Most Admired African Brand, following an independent, consumer-led survey conducted across more than 30 African countries.

The company was also inducted into the Brand Africa Hall of Fame, becoming the first African firm to receive this distinction.

The induction recognises Dangote’s transformative impact on African consumers and its influential role in shaping a positive narrative for the continent.

President/Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote was honoured 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 through a benchmark, homegrown enterprise.

Joining Dangote Industries in the inaugural Hall of Fame were MTN, M-Pesa, Ethiopian Airlines, and South Africa, for consistently ranking among Africa’s most admired brands over the past 5 to 15 years and for building sustainable, globally respected brands.

Reacting to the awards, Group Chief Branding & Communications Officer, Dangote Industries Limited, Anthony Chiejina, said the honours reflect the unwavering commitment, excellence, and innovation that define the group’s journey.

He added that they are a testament to the dedication of the company’s outstanding team, partners, and stakeholders, who continue to believe in the mission to drive sustainable development and economic growth across the continent.

“We also extend our heartfelt appreciation for the Lifetime Achievement Award presented to our Founder and President, Aliko Dangote for building a purposeful world-class industrial brand that has exceptionally transformed African lives and the African narrative.

This accolade celebrates not only his visionary leadership but also his tireless efforts in transforming industries, creating opportunities, and championing African enterprise on the global stage.

His legacy is an inspiration to generations of entrepreneurs and leaders across Africa,” he said.

Noting that the recognition would further inspire the company to push boundaries, empower communities, and deliver meaningful value across Africa and beyond, Chiejina reaffirmed Dangote Industries’ commitment to excellence, integrity, and transformative growth.

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.

He also called for increased investment in youth-led innovation, regional value chains, and the establishment of a Pan-African Creative Innovation Fund to identify, finance, and globalise Africa’s most promising brands.

“I wish to particularly acknowledge MTN, Dangote Group, mPesa and Ethiopian Airlines for consistently maintaining their distinguished positions among the “Most Admired African Brands” category and continuing to set benchmarks in brand leadership, innovation and continental impact,” he said.

According to the organisers, the 2025 rankings reveal a stark contrast between rising African optimism and declining brand loyalty.

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 down from 14% in 2024.

The report indicates the urgent need for homegrown brands to translate belief into consumer loyalty, and for Africans to more actively support Made-in-Africa products and enterprises.

“It is disappointing to see the sharp drop in African brands, which mirrors the ranking of non-African nations as the most influential in Africa,” says Thebe Ikalafeng, Founder and Chairman of Brand Africa.

“It’s a wake-up call for Africa—and a barometer of the continent’s lagging industrialisation agenda. It’s not enough for Africans to say they believe in the continent—they must buy made-in-Africa.

For that to happen, African brands must invest in R&D, continue to innovate, deliver quality, and use authenticity as a differentiator.”

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Global oil reserves: Nigeria down to 11th position in latest rankings

According to report, Nigerian oil reserves haven’t grown significantly for years, failing to replace daily extraction.

Published

6 hours ago

January 12, 2026

OCHEFA

10 Views

Stagnation in Nigeria’s crude oil reserve for decades has placed the country to 11th position on the global rankings of oil producing countries.

The United States occupy the 10th position with 45 billion barrels of proven oil reserve.

Crude oil reserve data computed from OPEC’s Annual Statistical Bulletin 2025, reveals that Nigeria sits as the 11th country with 37.28 billion barrels proven oil reserve in the world.

Likewise, official figures from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) places it at 37.28 billion barrels as of January 2025.

In a report published recently by Visual Capitalist.com, Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, accounting for an estimated 303 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, the largest of any country.

These reserves account for roughly 17% of the global total, well ahead of Saudi Arabia 267 billion barrels ; Iran 209 billion barrels, Canada 163 billion barrels , and Iraq 113 billion barrels.

Chart credit: Visual capitalist.com

According to report, Nigerian oil reserves haven’t grown significantly for years, failing to replace daily extraction.

Oil theft, vandalism, and insecurity hinder efforts to reach full production potential.

Nevertheless, the NUPRC aims to boost reserves and production, with plans to attract investment for new exploration and development.

Business

Wema Bank Plc launches major upgrade to its flagship digital banking platform, ALAT by Wema.

Published

6 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Charles Flames

12 Views

Wema Bank Plc has officially launched a major upgrade to its flagship digital banking platform, ALAT by Wema, introducing cutting-edge features including voice banking, Tap and Pay contactless payments, and predictive uptime capabilities.

Tagged “ALAT: The Evolution”, the revamped app (also referred to as ALAT 2.0) marks a significant step forward in Nigeria’s digital banking landscape. The upgrade integrates an AI-powered voice assistant called SAW (Smart ALAT by Wema), enabling users to perform banking tasks using natural voice commands—such as checking balances, transferring funds, or reviewing transactions—similar to popular assistants like Siri or Alexa.

This hands-free functionality aims to reduce friction, boost accessibility, and deliver a more intuitive experience for everyday users.

The update also rolls out Tap and Pay, a secure and convenient contactless transaction feature that allows quick payments by tapping compatible devices together. Complementing these innovations is predictive uptime, a transparency tool that forecasts service availability, helping build greater customer confidence in the platform’s reliability.

Announcing the launch, Mr. Moruf Oseni, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Wema Bank, described the upgrade as more than a technical enhancement.

“ALAT: The Evolution is a clear demonstration of our commitment to redefining digital banking in Africa,” he said. “By understanding the future of banking and listening closely to our customers, we have upgraded ALAT by Wema to a digital banking platform that is smart, intelligent, and dependable.”

Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi, Chief Digital Officer at Wema Bank, emphasized the user-focused design: “With ALAT: The Evolution, we set out to enhance not just functionality but the overall banking experience. By integrating voice banking, contactless payments, and predictive reliability, we are delivering a platform that is built on powerful technology and responds intelligently to customer needs.

“The upgraded app is now available for download or update on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Existing users can simply update their app and log in with their current credentials—all account information and transaction history remain intact—while new customers can onboard seamlessly.

Since its debut in 2017 as Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT has transformed financial services for millions of Nigerians. This latest evolution reinforces Wema Bank’s position as a pioneer in innovative, customer-centric digital banking amid growing competition in the sector.

Business

Mikano & Changan Named Founding Infrastructure Partners for Lagos Gran Fondo “EKO 170”

Published

3 days ago

January 9, 2026

Charles Flames

65 Views

The organisers of Nigeria’s premier cycling event, the inaugural Lagos Gran Fondo “EKO 170” are proud to announce Mikano International Limited and Changan as the Official Platinum and Founding Infrastructure Partners.

The landmark 170km mass-participation cycling race is set to take place on January 11, 2026, showcasing Lagos as a global hub for sports tourism, healthy living, and sustainable mobility.

This strategic partnership forms the operational foundation of the event, with Mikano and Changan providing essential in-kind support. This includes official race vehicles from Changan’s range of reliable and innovative automobiles (distributed exclusively in Nigeria through Mikano Motors), power generation solutions from Mikano’s renowned expertise in energy systems, medical services, and comprehensive rider support throughout the challenging route.

The collaboration highlights a shared dedication to safety, excellence, and sustainability, aligning perfectly with the event’s goals and the Lagos State Government’s vision for innovative, world-class initiatives.

Endorsed by the Lagos State Government, the EKO 170 Gran Fondo will start and finish at the iconic Eko Atlantic City, taking riders through Victoria Island, across the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge, along the Lekki–Epe Expressway to Epe, and back — offering participants a unique view of Lagos’s coastal beauty, modern infrastructure, and vibrant energy.

The event is expected to attract over 1,000 cyclists, from elite professionals to enthusiastic amateurs, from Nigeria and internationally.

As the exclusive Power and Infrastructure Partner, Mikano and Changan will receive prominent branding visibility across all event platforms.

A highlight of the partnership includes the introduction of a Mikano Clean Energy Hub at the finish-line festival, demonstrating cutting-edge sustainable power solutions.

With the foundational backing of Mikano International Limited — a leading Nigerian provider of power generation, automotive, and industrial solutions — and Changan — a globally respected automotive brand known for performance, safety, and innovation — the Lagos Gran Fondo “EKO 170” is poised to deliver an unforgettable, world-class cycling experience.

Participant registration remains open at www.eko170.com. Cyclists and supporters are encouraged to join this historic event that celebrates Lagos’s resilience and forward-thinking spirit.

Media Contact: Sabatha Joshua Media Relations, Lagos Gran Fondo “EKO 170”.

This partnership marks a significant milestone in elevating Lagos on the global stage through sports, infrastructure excellence, and community-focused innovation.