African Union Logo Competition 2027 – Win Up to $5,000
The African Union Logo Competition 2027 invites young African creatives aged 18–24 to design the official logo and visual identity for the African Union’s Theme of the Year 2027. Organised by the African Union Commission’s Infrastructure and Energy Department, with support from AUDA-NEPAD, the competition offers cash prizes of $5,000, $2,000, and $1,000, along with recognition and training opportunities. The winning design will represent the AU’s 2027 theme across official communication materials. Applications close on 23 October 2026 at 23:59 East Africa Time (UTC+3).
Quick Overview
Programme: AU Theme of the Year 2027 Logo Competition
Opportunity Type: Logo Design and Visual Identity Competition
Organiser: African Union Commission (AUC)
Supporting Organisation: African Union Development Agency–NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD)
Eligibility: Citizens of African Union Member States aged 18–24
Participation Format: Individual Design Submission
Prizes: $5,000 (First), $2,000 (Second), $1,000 (Third)
Application Deadline: 23 October 2026 at 23:59 EAT (UTC+3)
About the African Union Logo Competition 2027
The African Union Commission has launched a continental competition inviting young African creatives to develop the official logo and visual identity for its Theme of the Year 2027.
The competition seeks a distinctive visual concept that reflects Africa’s continental integration, technological transformation, and the African Union’s 25-year journey.
The winning design will become the official visual identity of the AU’s 2027 theme and will be used across communication materials throughout the year.
The initiative also aims to recognise emerging African creative talent and involve young people in shaping the public identity of a continental priority.
African Union Theme of the Year 2027
The official theme is:
“AU at the Dawn of its 25th Anniversary: Leveraging the Full Potential of SAATM and New Technologies for Continental Integration.”
The theme connects the African Union’s anniversary with its wider vision of a connected, inclusive, and prosperous Africa.
It highlights the role of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), digital transformation, and emerging technologies in supporting continental integration.
Key Design Concepts
The African Union identifies four central elements that should appear in the proposed visual identity:
• AU at 25: Representing the Union’s 25-year milestone.
• African Integration: Expressing the vision of a connected and united Africa.
• SAATM: Reflecting open African skies, movement, and connectivity.
• New Technologies: Representing African-led innovation, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation.
The competition encourages creative interpretations that bring these elements together in a coherent and recognisable design.
African Union Logo Competition 2027 Prizes and Benefits
The African Union Commission offers financial awards and professional recognition to selected participants.
Confirmed cash prizes include:
✓ First Place: USD 5,000
✓ Second Place: USD 2,000
✓ Third Place: USD 1,000
Additional Recognition
The competition also offers:
✓ Certificate of recognition
✓ Official acknowledgement through African Union platforms
✓ Training opportunities
✓ Opportunity for the winner to participate in the AU Summit, where the winning logo will be officially unveiled
✓ Opportunity to contribute to the official visual identity used by the African Union throughout 2027
The winning design will undergo professional refinement in consultation with the selected applicant and in accordance with African Union branding guidelines.
Design Requirements and Creative Direction
Applicants must create an original logo specifically for the African Union’s Theme of the Year 2027.
The design should reflect African unity, innovation, connectivity, and shared progress.
The African Union encourages designs that demonstrate:
• Strong visual identity
• Clear symbolism
• Creativity and originality
• Simplicity and recognisability
• Adaptability across different formats
• Cultural sensitivity
• Suitability for multilingual use
The logo must work effectively in both colour and monochrome formats.
It should remain recognisable at small sizes and on both light and dark backgrounds.
Design Elements to Avoid
The African Union advises applicants to avoid:
• National flags and political symbols
• Distorted maps
• Cultural stereotypes
• Copied stock icons
• Overly literal combinations of aircraft and circuitry
• Details that become unrecognisable at small sizes
The selected visual identity should represent the African continent collectively rather than favouring any particular country or region.
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Eligibility Criteria
The African Union Logo Competition 2027 is open to young African creatives who meet the following conditions:
• Applicants must be citizens of an African Union Member State.
• Applicants must be between 18 and 24 years old on the submission deadline.
• Entries must be submitted individually.
• Joint or team submissions are not accepted.
• Each applicant may submit only one entry.
The competition welcomes:
• Students
• Designers
• Artists
• Digital creatives
• Innovators
Formal qualifications are not required.
Who Cannot Apply?
The following individuals are not eligible:
• Members of the competition evaluation process
• African Union personnel
• Contractors involved in the competition
• Immediate family members of the excluded groups
Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements at the time of submission.
Required Application Documents
Candidates must prepare a complete submission package before entering the competition.
1. Completed Application Form
The form requests:
• Full name
• Nationality
• Date of birth
• Contact information
• Brief personal profile
2. Proof of Nationality and Age
Applicants must provide documentation confirming that they meet the citizenship and age requirements.
3. Logo Presentation PDF
The presentation must contain:
• Primary logo with and without the campaign title
• Colour version
• Black-and-white version
• Reversed version
• Basic colour palette
• Typography direction
• Three design mock-ups
The three required mock-ups are:
• Digital card
• Event backdrop
• Publication cover
4. High-Resolution Logo Preview
Applicants must provide a logo preview in PNG or JPEG format.
Minimum image width: 3,000 pixels
5. Concept Note
The concept note must not exceed 500 words.
Applicants should explain:
• The central design idea
• Symbolism
• Colour choices
• Connection with the AU theme
• Design adaptability
6. Signed Declaration
Candidates must submit a signed declaration covering originality, intellectual property, and artificial intelligence requirements.
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Originality and Artificial Intelligence Rules
The African Union establishes strict originality requirements for all entries.
Submitted designs must:
• Be original and created specifically for the competition.
• Not have been previously published or submitted.
• Not reproduce existing logos, the African Union emblem, national symbols, or third-party materials.
• Remain recognisable across different formats and sizes.
Generative AI Is Prohibited
The use of generative AI is not permitted in this competition.
Designs created, modified, or substantially enhanced using generative AI will not be accepted.
Applicants may use standard graphic design software, provided they do not use its generative AI features.
The African Union may request preliminary sketches or other evidence of the design process.
Plagiarism, misrepresentation, or prohibited AI use will result in disqualification.
Editable Source Files
Shortlisted applicants must be prepared to provide editable vector files within three working days.
Accepted formats include:
• SVG
• EPS
• Adobe Illustrator (.ai)
These files may be requested during shortlist verification.
Application Process
Applications for the African Union Logo Competition 2027 must be submitted through the official registration channel.
Step 1: Review the Competition Documents
Read the official competition announcement, Terms of Reference, and Applicant Declaration and Consent.
Check all eligibility, originality, and technical requirements.
Step 2: Develop the Logo and Visual Identity
Create an original design that represents the AU’s 2027 theme.
Ensure that the concept includes the relevant elements of continental integration, SAATM, the AU’s anniversary, and new technologies.
Step 3: Prepare the Submission Package
Organise the required documents and design files.
The submission must include the logo presentation, high-resolution preview, concept note, proof of eligibility, and signed declaration.
Step 4: Remove Personal Identifiers
Applicants must remove identifying information from the logo presentation.
This includes:
• Name
• Signature
• Photograph
• Social media handle
Personal details must appear only in the application form.
Step 5: Complete the Online Registration
Access the official competition registration form through the African Union website.
Complete the required applicant information and upload the submission package.
Step 6: Submit and Retain Confirmation
Submit the completed entry before the official deadline.
Applicants should retain the automated acknowledgement as proof of submission.
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Evaluation Criteria
The African Union will assess submissions according to seven criteria.
1. Relevance to the Theme – 25%
Judges will assess how effectively the design combines the African Union’s anniversary, continental integration, SAATM, and new technologies.
2. African Union Values and Identity – 20%
The evaluation considers how well the design reflects Agenda 2063, Pan-African identity, unity, and inclusion.
3. Creativity and Originality – 20%
The logo should demonstrate a distinctive concept with strong visual impact and no evidence of imitation.
4. Simplicity and Recognisability – 15%
Judges will evaluate whether the logo is memorable, understandable, and effective at different sizes.
5. Adaptability and Technical Execution – 10%
The design should work across:
• Print materials
• Digital platforms
• Video
• Merchandise
• Events
• Multilingual applications
6. Accessibility and Cultural Sensitivity – 5%
The logo should use inclusive visual language, appropriate contrast, and symbolism suitable for different cultural and linguistic contexts.
7. Quality of Concept Note – 5%
The written explanation should clearly justify the design choices and their connection to the theme.
Selection Process
The African Union Commission will evaluate submissions through several stages.
Stage 1: Administrative Review
Applications are checked for eligibility, timely submission, completeness, and required declarations.
Stage 2: Technical Evaluation
An anonymised evaluation is conducted by a communications and design panel.
Stage 3: Shortlist Verification
Shortlisted candidates may need to provide editable vector files, sketches, and other originality evidence.
Stage 4: Final Adjudication
The selection committee recommends a winning entry and a reserve entry.
Stage 5: Approval and Refinement
The selected design undergoes institutional approval and professional refinement in consultation with the winner.
The African Union Commission reserves the right not to make an award if no submission meets the required standard.
Intellectual Property Conditions
Applicants retain ownership of their designs during the competition while granting the African Union Commission a limited licence for evaluation and administration.
The selected winner must assign copyright and intellectual property rights to the African Union Commission through the required legal instrument.
The winning design may then be adapted, translated, animated, and reproduced for official use.
Applicants must confirm the originality of their submitted work.
Application Deadline
The official submission deadline for the African Union Logo Competition 2027 is:
23 October 2026 at 23:59 East Africa Time (EAT, UTC+3)
Candidates must complete the registration form and upload the required submission materials before this deadline.
Official Link
Submit your entry through the official African Union competition registration form below.
