MTN Group and Safaricom Make Global Top 10 Telecom Brand Strength List
The rankings highlight how both operators have built strong brands through consistent investment in network infrastructure, digital services and customer experience.
MTN Group and Safaricom have been ranked among the world’s top 10 strongest telecom brands, according to the latest industry report by Brand Finance. The ranking highlights the growing influence of African telecom operators in global brand strength metrics, which measure trust, reputation, reliability and customer loyalty.
In the latest global telecom brand strength ranking, Safaricom placed fifth, achieving a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of about 88 out of 100, while MTN Group ranked sixth with a BSI score of 87.3. Both companies earned AAA brand strength ratings, reflecting strong consumer trust and deep market engagement across their key markets.
The rankings highlight how both operators have built strong brands through consistent investment in network infrastructure, digital services and customer experience. In particular, the companies have evolved beyond traditional connectivity providers, offering digital platforms that support financial services, education and other everyday services across African markets.
Safaricom continues to maintain strong brand loyalty in East Africa, supported by its leadership in Kenya and the widespread adoption of its mobile money platform, M-Pesa. The company’s expansion into Ethiopia and continued infrastructure investments have also helped reinforce its brand strength in the region.
Meanwhile, MTN Group has built one of the continent’s largest telecom footprints, serving more than 300 million subscribers across Africa and the Middle East. Its strong performance in markets such as Nigeria and Ghana, along with growing digital and fintech services, has further strengthened its brand perception among consumers.
Despite the relatively smaller global scale of African telecom operators compared with international giants, analysts note that the strong rankings of MTN and Safaricom reflect the deep cultural relevance and everyday reliance consumers place on these brands. Their services have become essential digital platforms for millions of people across the continent.
The report also noted that other African telecom brands continue to perform strongly, with companies such as Vodacom and Orange also maintaining significant brand presence globally, underscoring the growing role of Africa’s telecom sector in the global digital economy.
