China has emerged as the most admired country in Ethiopia, surpassing even Ethiopia itself, according to the newly released 2025 Brand Africa 100 | Africa’s Best Brands report. The findings, announced at the historic Africa Hall in Addis Ababa, paint a complex picture of optimism, foreign influence, and the ongoing challenges facing African brands and institutions.

The Brand Africa survey, conducted across 31 countries and in eight languages, reveals that only 32% of Ethiopians believe Africa itself contributes to a better Africa. When asked which countries they most admire, Ethiopians ranked China first, followed by Ethiopia, Russia, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates. This ranking places China ahead of traditional Western powers and even Ethiopia’s own national identity, reflecting the deep and growing ties between China and Ethiopia.

Ethiopian officials have consistently praised China’s role in the country’s development, highlighting initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). China is Ethiopia’s largest trading partner and a major investor in infrastructure, manufacturing, and technology. Projects like the Ethiopia-Djibouti Railway and the China-Africa-UNIDO Center of Excellence have become symbols of this partnership, generating jobs and fostering skills development across the country.Despite a surge in optimism—68% of Ethiopians express hope for Africa’s future—local brands continue to struggle for recognition.

Only 6% of the Top 100 most admired brands in Ethiopia are Ethiopian, and just 13% of the most admired brands in the country overall are local. This mirrors a broader continental trend: only 11% of Africa’s most admired brands are African, a historic low that underscores the dominance of foreign brands and the urgent need for homegrown companies to convert optimism into loyalty.Nike, Adidas, Samsung, Coca-Cola, and Apple remain the top five most admired brands in Africa for the fifth consecutive year, while Coca-Cola is also recognized as the most admired non-African organization. In Ethiopia, Mekedonia (a non-profit), Ethio Telecom (Ethiopian), and Coca-Cola (non-African) are the top three brands most admired for “Doing Good For Society,” highlighting the continued influence of global companies even in the realm of social responsibility.