Brand Africa, in partnership with TBWA Paragon this week unveiled Namibia’s Best Brands at a live event at Droombos Hotel in Windhoek. The local results edition follows the global release of the 12th annual Brand Africa 100: Africa’s Best Brands 2022 rankings of the Top 100 most admired brands in Africa, which was unveiled on 25 May 2022, in Nigeria. 

The leading Namibian brands by category were MTC for the third consecutive year (number one overall and number one telecom), NBC (media), Namib Mills (consumer), Bank Windhoek (financial services), Mshasho (apparel), Nammilk (non-alcoholic beverages) and Windhoek Lager (alcoholic beers).  

In comparison, Africa’s Best Brands rankings, irrespective of country of origin, were American sports and fitness brand, Nike, number one in Africa for the fifth consecutive year, Nigeria’s GT Bank, number one in financial services for the third year, South Africa’s DSTV and MTN, the number one media and African brands respectively, and Dangote the number one brand that symbolises African pride. 

In Namibia, the number one brand overall is Germany’s Adidas, South Africa’s DSTV, the number one African and media brand, and FNB took the lead in financial services brand.

According to a statement from Brand Africa, after a five-year decline, African brands have surged 4% to 17% from an all-time low of 13% in 2020 and 2021 in the 2022 Brand Africa 100 | Africa’s Best Brands survey. “This is 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,” the statement read.  

“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 of Made in Africa and in particular, Made in Namibia in business, marketing and communications industry and in public service,” the statement continued. 

James Mnyupe (green hydrogen commissioner), Tim Ekandjo (MTC’s chief human capital and corporate affairs officer) and Lazarus Jacobs (TBWA Paragon executive director) were honoured with Africa Brand Leadership awards. They were selected for their sustained exceptional and inspired leadership in business, industry and public sector respectively, that has contributed to the success of Made in Namibia brands and initiatives.

“As we emerge out of the pandemic and Africa seeks to assert itself, the rise and growing diversity of local brands is very inspiring and bodes well for an African renaissance led by competitive world class African brands country by country,” said Thebe Ikalafeng, founder and chairman of Brand Africa and Brand Leadership. 

“This is an exciting initiative and the third year in a row we are intentionally, and independently identifying and celebrating Namibia’s Best Brands and creating a platform for them to be celebrated everywhere. It’s a principle of charity starting at home – with Africans celebrating Africans and Africa broadly,” concurred Brand Africa’s Namibia chairman, Lazarus Jacobs.