Kenya has been identified as one of five countries in the world that Africans perceive as making the continent great.
Brand Africa revealed this during its 14th annual Brand Africa 100: Africa’s Best Brands research and rankings, which were released on Monday, May 27.
At the same time, 64 per cent of Africans were found to have confidence in the continent and its socio-economic trajectory.
“African nations account for 64 per cent of the top 50 most admired countries, with South Africa, Nigeria, United States, China and Kenya being the top 5 countries perceived to contribute to a better Africa,” the survey found.
The survey further found that Africans were quickly embracing countries seen as rivals to the West.
For example, amongst the intergovernmental organisations BRICS, which comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates, only Iran missed the top 50 nations admired by Africans.
Ironically, despite 54 per cent of Africans having faith in the continent, 86 per cent of admired brands are made outside Africa.
Additionally, Kenya remained one of the few countries in East and Central Africa that is admired by Africans.
“The list is dominated by Southern and West Africa, which account for 44 per cent of the top 50 nations Africans admire globally,” Brand Africa revealed.
While Kenya made the list of most admired nations, surprisingly, no brand from Kenya made it to the top 100 most admired brands in Africa.
Countries that had brands making it into the top 100 included South Africa, Nigeria, Zambia, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and Tanzania.
In Nigeria, the Dangote conglomerate, founded by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, made it to the Top 100 most admired brands continentally.