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Official African Union 2027 Theme Logo and Visual Identity Competition
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Publish Date 10/17/2026 Application Deadline 10/23/2026 Opportunity Type Competitions Publisher Foras Khadra Available Countries Egypt, Sudan, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania, Djibouti, Somalia, Comoros Description

The African Union Commission, through its Department of Infrastructure and Energy and in collaboration with the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), has launched a continental competition inviting young African creatives to design the official logo and visual identity for the African Union's 2027 theme.

The theme focuses on the African Union's 25th anniversary and strengthening continental integration through the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, digital transformation, digital identity, cybersecurity, and space technologies.

The competition aims to engage young people in visually expressing the future of the African continent, highlighting African unity, connectivity between peoples, infrastructure development, and technological innovation. The winning design will serve as the official visual identity for the African Union's 2027 theme. It may be further refined in collaboration with its creator to ensure compliance with the African Union's corporate branding standards.

The competition targets young designers, artists, students, digital creatives, and innovators aged 18–24. A formal academic qualification is not required.
Details
  • Organising body: African Union Commission, Department of Infrastructure and Energy, with support from AUDA-NEPAD.
  • Competition period: Applications opened on 24 September 2026 and close on 23 October 2026. The announcement does not specify a subsequent participation period or a training schedule.
  • Location: Online application through the official competition channel. Applicants are not required to attend in person to submit their designs.
  • Funding and fees: The announcement does not specify an application fee or provide funding for design preparation costs. Cash prizes are awarded to the top three winners.
  • Design theme: Create a visual identity reflecting the African Union's 25th anniversary, continental integration, the Single African Air Transport Market, and technology and innovation.
  • Required design deliverables: Each submission must include:
  • The primary logo in two versions, with and without the campaign title.
  • Full-colour, monochrome, and reversed versions suitable for different backgrounds.
  • The primary colour palette and typography guidelines.
  • A brief explanation of the concept, symbols used, and their relationship to the annual theme.
  • Three mock-ups showing the logo in use: a digital card, an event backdrop, and a publication cover.
  • Required files: A PDF presentation, a PNG or JPEG preview image at least 3,000 pixels wide, the application form, proof of nationality and age, and a signed declaration concerning originality, intellectual property, and the use of artificial intelligence.
  • Concept explanation: Submit a rationale of no more than 500 words explaining the idea, symbolism, colours, adaptability, and potential applications of the design.
  • Anonymous evaluation: Applicants must remove their names, signatures, photographs, and social media handles from the design presentation. Personal information should appear only in the application form.
  • Language: The announcement does not specify a required language proficiency level. The logo's text must be adaptable to the African Union's official working languages.
  • Use of artificial intelligence: Generative AI tools must not be used to create, modify, or substantially enhance the design. Traditional design software may be used, provided its generative AI features are not used.
  • Original design files: Shortlisted applicants may be required to provide editable vector files, such as SVG, EPS, or Adobe Illustrator files, within three working days.
  • Intellectual property: Applicants retain ownership of their work during the competition and grant the Commission a limited licence for administration and evaluation purposes. The winner must transfer copyright and intellectual property rights to the Commission in accordance with the required documentation and agree to the design being adapted, translated, animated, reproduced, and used for official purposes.
  • Evaluation criteria: Entries will be assessed on their relevance to the annual theme, African identity and African Union values, originality and creativity, clarity and simplicity, adaptability, accessibility, cultural sensitivity, and the quality of the concept explanation.
Eligibility Criteria
  • Applicants must meet the following requirements:
  • Be a citizen of an African Union member state.
  • Be between 18 and 24 years old on the application deadline, 23 October 2026.
  • Apply as an individual. Group and joint submissions are not accepted.
  • Students, designers, artists, digital creatives, and innovators are eligible to apply.
  • No university degree or formal academic qualification is required.
  • Each applicant may submit only one entry.
  • The design must be original, created specifically for this competition, and not previously published or submitted to another competition.
  • The design must not copy or imitate the African Union logo, existing institutional logos, national symbols, trademarks, protected third-party works, or stock images used without permission.
  • The logo must remain clear and recognisable at small sizes, in colour and black and white, and on both light and dark backgrounds.
  • The design must work across digital and print applications and be adaptable to the African Union's working languages.
  • Generative AI must not be used to create, modify, or substantially enhance the design.
  • Applicants must provide proof of nationality and age, complete the application form, and submit the required declarations.
  • All required files must be submitted before the deadline.
  • Shortlisted applicants may be asked to provide preliminary sketches, evidence of the design process, and editable source files.
  • Members of the judging panel, African Union staff, contractors, and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate.


Opportunity Benefits
  • The top three winners will receive cash prizes and professional recognition, as specified in the official announcement.
  • First Place
  • USD 5,000
  • First-place cash prize
  • Second Place
  • USD 2,000
  • Third Place
  • USD 1,000
  • Additional announced benefits include:
  • Certificate of recognition: Winners will receive certificates of recognition from the organisers.
  • Official recognition: Winners will be acknowledged through African Union platforms.
  • Training opportunities: Training opportunities will be made available to the winners, although the announcement does not specify the format or duration.
  • Opportunity to attend the African Union Summit: The first-place winner will have the opportunity to participate in the African Union Summit at which the selected logo will be officially unveiled.
  • Continental exposure: The winning design will become the visual identity for the African Union's 2027 theme.
  • Collaboration on design refinement: The winning concept will be reviewed and refined in consultation with its creator to ensure compliance with the African Union's visual identity guidelines.