MTN has emerged as the Most Admired and the Most Valuable Brand in Africa, with a value of $5.4 billion.

This was announced at the official launch of the 2014 Brand Africa 100® ranking of the most admired and most valuable brands in Sub-Saharan Africa, which held at the Nairobi Securities Exchange on Monday.

MTN is the only African brand whose value surpassed a billion dollars, according to the ranking.

“While it is nice to again be acknowledged as Africa’s most valuable brand, it is even nicer to be ranked the most admired African brand. It means that MTN doesn’t just have a spot in our customers’ pocket book, but in their hearts and minds as well,” ITNewsAfrica quoted Jennifer Forrester, Executive for Marketing, MTN Group, as saying.

South Africa was ranked as the most branding nation, with the country accounting for 11 of the 23 African companies on the Brand Africa 100®. The country also holds 91 percent of the total value of the top African brands. Kenya and Nigeria followed at 5 percent and 3 percent respectively.

Non-African brands continue to dominate, holding 77 out of the 100 ranking spots. Apple topped the list at $105 billion, to replace Samsung as the most valuable non-African brand, while Coca Cola retained its position as the most admired non-African brand in Africa. Overall, Coca Cola was ranked as the most admired brand in Africa.

“While non-African brands understandably dominate African brands in value because of their sheer volumes, historical admiration and investment, that African brands remain competitive among the most admired brands bodes well for the future of African brands,” says Thebe Ikalafeng, founder and chairman of Brand Africa and chairman of Brand Finance Africa.

He however noted that the demand for indigenous brands or non-African brands that are built on African insights will grow, as Africans become wealthier and grow their brand building capacity.

The 2014 Brand Africa 100® is based on a survey among a representative sample of eight countries, covering the major sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) regions to establish the base top 100 most admired brands. It was developed by Brand Africa.

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