About this opportunity
Every year the African Union gives a theme to the year ahead, and the logo that carries it is chosen through an open competition for young creatives across the continent. For 2027 the brief is "AU at the Dawn of its 25th Anniversary: Leveraging the Full Potential of SAATM and New Technologies for Continental Integration", and the Commission wants the visual identity that will travel with it.
The competition is open to citizens of all AU Member States aged 18 to 24 on the submission
Application timeline
, entered as an individual with one entry per applicant. Nigeria is an AU Member State, so Nigerian designers inside that age band qualify.
The logo has to carry four ideas: AU at 25 as a milestone and bridge, Africa's integration as a connected one Africa, SAATM as open skies and connectivity, and new technologies as African led innovation, AI and digital. A complete submission is more than a picture.
The package asks for the entry form, proof of nationality and age, a logo presentation PDF with the primary logo shown with and without the campaign title plus colour, monochrome and reversed versions, a basic colour palette and typography direction, three mock-ups (digital card, event backdrop and publication cover), a preview PNG or JPEG at minimum width 3000px, a concept note of up to 500 words and the signed originality, intellectual property and AI declaration. Generative AI is not permitted: entries must be original and human created, and must not reproduce the AU emblem, existing logos, national symbols or stock material.
The winner receives USD 5,000, second place USD 2,000 and third place USD 1,000, alongside a certificate of recognition, official acknowledgement through African Union platforms and training opportunities. The winning designer also takes part in the AU Summit, where the logo is officially unveiled, and the concept is refined in consultation with them under African Union branding guidelines for official use throughout 2027.
Shortlisted applicants must supply editable vector source files (SVG, EPS or . ai) within 3 working days.
The Commission notes it may decide not to make an award if no submission meets the required standard.
What you receive
- USD 5,000 for first place, USD 2,000 for second place and USD 1,000 for third place
- Certificate of recognition and official acknowledgement through African Union platforms
- Training opportunities
- Take part in the AU Summit where the winning logo is officially unveiled
- The winning identity is refined with you under African Union branding guidelines and used across the continent throughout 2027
Who can apply
- Citizens of all African Union Member States
- Aged 18 to 24 on the submission deadline
- Entered as an individual, one entry per applicant
- Entries must be original and human created, generative AI is not permitted
- Designs must not reproduce the AU emblem, existing logos, national symbols or stock material
Who should not apply
- Applicants outside the 18 to 24 age band on the deadline
- Nationals of non AU Member States
- Entries produced with generative AI
- The Commission may decide not to make an award if no submission meets the required standard
Documents to prepare
- Proof of nationality and age
- Logo presentation PDF with primary logo with and without the campaign title, plus colour, monochrome and reversed versions
- Basic colour palette and typography direction
- Three mock-ups: digital card, event backdrop and publication cover
- Preview PNG or JPEG at minimum width 3000px
- Concept note of up to 500 words
- Signed originality, intellectual property and AI declaration
- Editable vector source files (SVG, EPS or .ai) within 3 working days if shortlisted
How to apply
- Read the brief on the African Union call for entries page and design a logo around AU at 25, continental integration, SAATM open skies and new technologies
- Assemble the full submission package, including the presentation PDF, three mock-ups, preview image, concept note and signed declarations
- Submit before 23 October 2026 at 23:59 EAT through the route on the official call page
- If shortlisted, send editable vector source files within 3 working days and be ready to share preliminary sketches and design process evidence
Selection process
- Entries are evaluated against the brief and rubric published on the call page
- Shortlisted applicants are asked for editable vector source files within 3 working days and may be asked for design process evidence
- The winning concept is refined in consultation with the applicant under African Union branding guidelines
- On ownership, applicants retain ownership during the competition while granting the Commission a limited licence for administration and evaluation, and the winner assigns copyright and IP rights to the AUC through the required instrument
Sources and verification
Related opportunities
- Designers in Residence Scholarship 2027: Three Month Funded Residency in Pforzheim, Germany
The Designers in Residence scholarship invites three young designers from around the world to Pforzheim, Germany, for a fully supported three month work phase from 1 April to 30 June 2027. Residents receive a monthly allowance of EUR 1,000, free accommodation, travel reimbursement, a materials grant, equipped workshop space at EMMA Kreativzentrum, and a closing exhibition of their work. Applications close 2 November 2026, 23:59 CET.
- Swarovski Foundation Creatives For Our Future Programme 2026
The fifth cycle of the Creatives For Our Future Programme gives young creatives worldwide a 20,000 euro grant, one on one mentorship and educational support to develop creative work that advances sustainable development. Open to creatives aged twenty one to thirty working across design, art, technology and related fields, it closes 9 November 2026 at 11:59 p.m. GMT.
- iF Design Student Award 2027: EUR 50,000 For Sustainable Design Concepts By Students And Recent Graduates
The iF Design Student Award is a free international competition for design students and recent graduates worldwide. Entries pitch a future focused concept that answers one of the first 15 UN Sustainable Development Goals, and the top projects share a EUR 50,000 prize fund.
- Pro Helvetia Residency in Switzerland 2027 for Artists and Cultural Practitioners from Africa and Other Regions
Pro Helvetia funds residencies of up to three months at a partner institution in Switzerland for artists and cultural practitioners who live in one of its liaison office regions, which covers West, Central, East and Southern Africa among other areas. Accommodation, travel and daily allowances are covered, and applications open on 1 January each year with a deadline of 1 March at 23:59 Central European Time.
Questions applicants ask
Can I use AI to make the logo?
No. The call states generative AI is not permitted and all entries must be original and human created, confirmed by a signed originality, intellectual property and AI declaration.
Can I enter as a team?
No. The competition is entered as an individual, with one entry per applicant.
Who owns the winning design?
You retain ownership during the competition while granting the African Union Commission a limited licence for administration and evaluation. The winner assigns copyright and IP rights to the AUC through the required instrument, and the design can then be adapted, translated, animated and reproduced.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
