Despite Optimism for Africa Reaching 68%, African Brands Tumble to a Historic Low of 11% Among the Most Admired Brands i

Loading player...
GUEST – Thebe Ikalafeng, Chairman and Founder of Brand Africa

Brand Africa, in partnership with African Business and the Economic Commission for Africa, unveiled the results of the 15th annual Brand Africa 100 | Africa’s Best Brands rankings. The announcement was made at the historic Africa Hall in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia the birthplace of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union (AU).



The 2025 rankings reveal a stark disconnect between rising African optimism and declining brand loyalty. While 68% of Africans express belief in Africa, up from 64% in 2024, only 11% of the Top 100 most admired brands are African - a historic low, down from 14% in 2024. This drop underscores the urgent challenge for homegrown brands to convert belief into consumer commitment, and Africans to support Made in Africa brands.



The rankings are based on a comprehensive pan-African survey conducted across 31 countries and in 8 languages, from Arabic to Swahili - representing over 85% of the continent’s population and GDP.
26 May 2025 4PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

Rethinking the Modern Lease Agreement

Many rental disputes can be traced back to lease agreements that landlords and tenants don't fully understand. Craig Buckley, Managing Director of reOS, explores how attorney-backed technology is helping improve lease clarity, reduce disputes, streamline compliance and strengthen landlord-tenant relationships in South Africa's rental market.
19 Oct 1PM 16 min

Calgro's Long-Term Growth Blueprint as Interim HEPS slide 4%

Calgro M3 delivered resilient interim results despite a constrained property market. CEO Ben Pierre Malherbe joins Kaya Biz to unpack the company's investment in large-scale housing developments, progress on non-core asset disposals, rising debt levels, and the growing contribution from its Memorial Parks business. We explore what sustainable growth looks…
19 Oct 12PM 14 min

Why Many SMEs Still Aren't Investment Ready

Access to funding remains a major challenge for South African entrepreneurs, but is capital really the biggest obstacle? Old Mutual's Ndumiso Zulu explores why investment readiness, governance and compliance have become critical differentiators for SMEs seeking growth capital and long-term sustainability.
15 Oct 11AM 20 min

The New Economics of African Entertainment

Africa's entertainment and media sectors are evolving rapidly, but technology alone won't determine the winners. Charles Stuart of PwC unpacks the latest Africa Entertainment & Media Outlook, examining growth opportunities across South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria, the rise of gaming, shifting advertising trends and the enduring value of cultural connection
15 Oct 11AM 13 min

Inside Your Pocket: Spring-Clean Your Finances Before the Festive Spending Rush

With millions of South Africans battling impaired credit records and year-end spending pressures approaching, Trevor Misthry from National Debt Counsellors shares practical steps to regain control. From debt reconciliation and budgeting to avoiding festive season traps, this conversation focuses on building financial resilience before December arrives.
15 Oct 11AM 14 min