Safaricom, MTN Fly Africa’s Flag in 2026 Global Telecom Brand Rankings

Kenya’s Safaricom and South Africa’s MTN Group are ranked as the 5th and 6th strongest telecom brands worldwide, according to the latest Telecoms 150 report by Brand Finance. The ranking emphasises the increasing influence of African telecom operators in the global digital economy.

The report shows Safaricom achieved a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 88.0 out of 100, while MTN closely followed with 87.3, with both companies earning the coveted AAA brand strength rating during the period under review. The rankings reflect strong consumer trust, deep cultural relevance, and the vital role the two operators play in the everyday lives of millions of users across Africa.

“Safaricom and MTN remain at the forefront, underlined by their deep local relevance, trust, cultural connection, and strong presence in the daily lives of the people they serve,” said Jeremy Sampson, Chairman of Brand Finance Africa. He noted that African telecom brands continue to dominate the global brand-strength rankings, with four African operators appearing among the world’s top 20 strongest telecom brands in 2026.

According to Brand Finance, the strong performance of the two companies reflects consistent investment in network infrastructure, digital services, and customer experience, helping them establish themselves as essential connectivity and digital platforms for both consumers and businesses.

What is the real meaning of “brand strength”?
Unlike brand value, which quantifies a brand's financial worth, brand strength assesses how well a brand performs in the market compared to its competitors. It encompasses factors such as consumer trust, reputation, familiarity, customer loyalty, marketing investment, and overall perception among stakeholders.

Brand Finance calculates this using its Brand Strength Index (BSI), which scores brands out of 100 based on research into marketing performance, stakeholder perceptions, and business outcomes. The score then converts into a rating, similar to a credit rating, ranging up to AAA+, indicating exceptional brand resilience and trust.

Why Brand Finance rankings matter
Brand Finance is one of the world’s leading independent brand valuation consultancies, specialising in assessing the financial value and strength of corporate brands. Based in London and operating across more than 25 countries, the firm conducts over 6,000 brand valuations annually and publishes more than 100 global industry and country reports. 

Its research combines market surveys, financial analysis, and internationally recognised valuation standards, making its rankings widely referenced by investors, marketers, and corporate strategists to gauge brand performance and competitiveness.

Africa’s telecom influence continues to grow
In East Africa, the Safaricom brand continues to benefit from strong brand loyalty driven by its leadership in Kenya and the success of its mobile money platform M-Pesa, which has played a significant role in expanding financial inclusion across the region. The company’s expansion into Ethiopia and ongoing infrastructure investment have further enhanced its brand perception. 

Meanwhile, MTN as a brand has built one of the continent’s largest telecom footprints, serving hundreds of millions of subscribers across more than 15 African markets. Strong performances in major markets such as Nigeria and Ghana, along with the expansion of digital and fintech services, have reinforced its brand relevance across the continent. 

The report also identified another African emerging telecom operator brand, Yas, as the “brand to watch” in 2026. Following a major rebranding that unified its operations in Madagascar, Senegal, Togo, and Comoros, Yas debuted in the Telecoms 150 ranking with a brand value of $277 million and a BSI score of 84.8, placing it among the world’s top 20 strongest telecom brands.

Another African operator, Vodacom, ranked 16th globally with a BSI score of 85.6, maintaining a strong brand presence despite slipping slightly from the global top 10. The company’s brand value currently stands at $2.8 billion.

Globally, Germany’s Deutsche Telekom remains the most valuable telecom brand, with its brand value more than doubling since 2020 to reach $96.2 billion. The company also ranks 11th among the world’s 500 most valuable brands, making it the most valuable corporate brand in Europe.

The latest rankings emphasise a key trend: while global telecom giants may dominate in sheer financial worth, African operators are increasingly outperforming their peers in brand strength, measured through trust, reputation, loyalty, and everyday relevance in people’s lives. 


Strongest Telecoms Brands 2026

1. Viettel Group   8.9.9
2. Celcomdigi       88.8
3. stc                     88.6
4. Swisscom         88.4
5. Safaricom         88.1
6. MTN                  87.3
7. Proximus           87.0
8. Turkcell              86.5               
9. Elisa                   86.4
10. Globe Telecom  86.4