Connecting Africa is part of the Informa Tech Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 3099067.

4G/5G

MTN, Etisalat rated top telco brands in Africa and Middle East

Article Image
A new report by Brand Finance has ranked MTN as the "most valuable and strongest telecoms brand" in Africa, while Etisalat was the leader in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region as a whole.

The independent brand valuation consultancy's annual report ranks the world's 150 top telecoms brands and the 2020 Report sees South Africa-based operators MTN and Vodacom make the list, ranked at numbers 43 and 61 respectively. Kenya's Safaricom made the list at number 93, rising four places from last year. Morocco's Maroc Telecom fell just outside of the top 100, to 105th place, while Nigeria's Glo Mobile was 118th and Senegal's Sonatel was in 135th place.

In Africa, MTN was ranked as the top telecoms brand, moving up five spots, with a brand value of US$3.3 billion. Johannesburg-headquartered MTN has 250.8 million group subscribers and operates in 21 territories, 17 of which are on the African continent.

"MTN's brand value was boosted by a solid overall performance for the year, despite challenging economic conditions and regulatory challenges in some markets. Africa's biggest telcos brand, MTN has grown its subscriber level steadily over the past year and boosted its revenues. Customers spending more on data services and MTN's 5G rollouts have meant the brand is well placed to cater to this growing demand," the report said.

The authors believe MTN's existing network infrastructure will be challenged by the upcoming transition from 4G to 5G mobile phone services, but its solid brand strength will put it in a strong position to compete in the future.

"MTN is to be commended for its performance in its home market as well as further afield. They are increasingly recognized throughout Africa by their customers as providing a high quality service, because their brand image is deeply rooted on more than just marketing campaigns," said David Haigh, CEO of Brand Finance.

Courtesy of Brand Finance Telecoms 150, 2020 report
Courtesy of Brand Finance Telecoms 150, 2020 report

MEA mogul
Emirati giant Etisalat was ranked as the most valuable and strongest telecoms brand in the Middle East and Africa. It rose three places from 2019 to be ranked the world's 16th most-valuable telecoms brand, with a brand value of US$8.5 billion.

"As the premier digital and telecommunications partner of the upcoming Expo2020 in Dubai this October, all eyes will be on Etisalat as it prepares to excite the Expo's expected 25 million visitors with a seamless 5G connectivity that brings the event's themes to life," the report said.

Abu Dhabi-headquartered Etisalat has over 148 million customers in 16 countries across Asia, the Middle East and Africa, with a wide portfolio of brands including Mobily, Ufone, Maroc Telecom, PTCL and Etisalat Misr.

In Africa its operations are extensive, with full or part ownership of operators in 11 African nations. According to the group's website, these include operations in Morocco, Egypt, Mauritania, Mali, Gabon, Burkina Faso, Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Togo, Niger and Central African Republic.

Some international telcos with African operations also made the Brand Finance list, including Vodafone (9th), Orange (10th), Airtel (35th), Ooredoo (41st), Zain (51st) and Tigo (76th).

— Paula Gilbert, Editor, Connecting Africa

Innovation hub

Story

Hot startup of the month: Nigeria's Tech Herfrica

Connecting Africa's hot startup is Nigeria's Tech Herfrica, a social impact organization that focuses on the digital and financial inclusion of women and girls in rural areas of Nigeria.

Story

Omdia View: February 2024

Highlights in February 2024 in the Middle East and Africa included 5G launches in Senegal and 5G trials in Egypt as well as Kenya's first 5G MVNO. Airtel also launched a new wholesale connectivity business while MTN and Huawei are planning a joint Innovation Technology Lab in South Africa – that and more in this month's Omdia View.

More Innovation hub

Latest video

More videos

Partner perspectives

All Partner Perspectives

Sponsored video

More videos

Industry announcements

More Industry announcements

Upcoming events

Africa Tech Festival 2024
November 11-14, 2024
Cape Town, South Africa
More Upcoming events

Africa Tech Perspectives

Story

Uber's Marjorie Saint-Lot on inclusion and sustainability in Africa

Uber's Country Manager for Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire, Marjorie Saint-Lot, shares how the ride-hailing company is approaching public-private partnerships, environmentally friendly initiatives and gender inclusion in Africa.

Story

The 100 most influential African leaders in 2023

A new report from Africa Tech Festival and Connecting Africa puts a spotlight on the top 100 African leaders in the telecoms and technology sector in 2023.

Story

Deep dive into East Africa's tech startup ecosystem

New survey reveals a lack of access to investors, reliance on international VCs and global recession trends as the biggest barriers for East African tech startups to access funds.

More Africa Tech perspectives

Guest Perspectives

Story

Omdia View: February 2024

By Omdia Analysts

Highlights in February 2024 in the Middle East and Africa included 5G launches in Senegal and 5G trials in Egypt as well as Kenya's first 5G MVNO. Airtel also launched a new wholesale connectivity business while MTN and Huawei are planning a joint Innovation Technology Lab in South Africa – that and more in this month's Omdia View.

Story

Omdia View: January 2024

By Omdia Analysts

Highlights in January 2024 in the Middle East and Africa included a $200 million fintech deal between MTN and Mastercard as well as 5G network trials by Telecom Egypt – that and more in this month's Omdia View.

More Guest Perspectives

Like us on Facebook

Newsletter Sign Up


Sign Up
Tag id test-002