Tanzania’s brand owners upbeat to dominate Africa’s Best Brand Awards

DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIAN brand owners have been urged to shift to top gear to compete well with African brands during the upcoming Best Brand Awards 2026.

This has been said by Best Brand Africa Country Director, Mr Zakayo Shushu, in an exclusive interview with Daily News Digital in Dar es Salaam today, October 2, 2025.

Among the decorated brands operating in Tanzania that bagged awards during the 2025 Best Brand Awards gala include Coca-Cola, SPORTPESA, CRDB, Air Tanzania, Silent Ocean, DSTV, Oryx, Softcare, GF Truck, GSM, Serengeti Breweries, and others.

“The first edition of Best Brand Awards, which was staged on  21st  September, 2025, was a huge success, and the outcome by Tanzanian brands was overwhelming.

“However, to increase its efficiency, we plan to make the second edition very competitive by opening doors for African brands (made in Africa brands) to compete with our own brands here.

“Through this, we expect the next edition to be a thriller, hence the reason I am calling upon our brands to add X-factor in their productions,” he says.

He adds: “They (Tanzanian brands) should not only concentrate on building the brand itself but also learn how to protect, promote and safeguard it so that it can last longer.”

Clarifying on the importance of Best Brand Awards, he says they help to improve quality, innovation, and competition in the market.

“Also, it plays a role in accelerating investment motivation in marketing and production, not forgetting the improvement of trust for different brands that are doing well in terms of proper service delivery.

“Furthermore, Awards create a platform to be recognized on a national and international level, thereby expanding the horizon, which is very important in the business industry,” he said.

He then seized the occasion to commend government and private stakeholders for their unwavering support rendered to make the first edition successful, while pleading to do the same in next year’s event.

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Themed: “Honoring Excellence, Celebrating Impacts,” the 2025 Best Brand Awards witnessed 30 different categories being contested for, with winners walking away with prestigious accords.

According to him, a brand is like having a child, such that if you fail to protect and safeguard it, it may end up being spoiled by society.