In addition to clinching the top position on the 2016/17 Brand Africa 100 rankings, Samsung also grew its brand value by 13 percent, making it the top brand in eight different countries.

A Focus on Improving Education

As a global corporate citizen, Samsung aims to create positive change for people in communities across the world and in Africa specifically, the company’s primary Citizenship efforts have focused on education. Since 2011, Samsung has been on a mission to provide education solutions in the country, including the development of Smart Schools, eLearning Centres and Digital Libraries in rural areas across the continent, so that a greater number of children are able to access the digital technology needed to gain an education and improve their lives.

To date, Samsung has successfully established more than 10 Digital Villages, as part of a multi-solution programme that addresses the lack of education and health infrastructure in Africa.

The Samsung Solar-Powered Internet School (SPIS) is just one example of Samsung’s education-related efforts in the country. Since launching in 2011 , SPIS has helped both students and schools achieve a 100% pass rate and about thirty schools are currently in operation.

Another successful initiative, the Engineering Academy, has seen more than 1,000 qualified technicians graduate from the programme. In 2016, the Women Technical Programme in South Africa and Ghana was added to the initiative to help women enter the technology field.

“There is an African proverb that says: ‘If you want to go quickly, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together,’” said Yoo Young Kim, CEO and President of Samsung Electronics Africa. “In much the same way, our efforts in Africa have been in close partnership with various partners, NGOs and government bodies, and we look forward to continuing these shared efforts to contribute to a brighter future for Africa as well as improved global society.”