AIDA Awards is the first International Awards
celebrating the creativity and forward-thinking design
across the African continent.
The Africa International Design Awards (AIDA Awards) is a pioneering design advocacy platform that recognises and celebrates both African designers and international designers whose work is deeply rooted in Africa, creating innovative solutions to address the unique challenges faced by African communities.
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Join the AIDA community, the most creative and visionary designers.
AIDA’s jury is composed of internationally acclaimed designers, creative directors, and cultural thinkers from across Africa and the diaspora.
Mark your calendar. From submissions to celebration, here are the moments that shape the journey of every AIDA Awards participant.
Designers across Africa and the diaspora are invited to submit their work.
AIDA Awards is proud to collaborate with organizations, brands, and institutions committed to uplifting African design.
For professional submissions as a company or independent designer, please provide the following information when submitting your project:
For Emerging Designer submissions, please provide the following information when submitting your project:
The registration process is straightforward. Once you’ve created your profile, you’ll be able to submit your projects directly through your account. Make sure to save your login and password for future access and updates.
ENTRY FEES 2026
To ensure access and representation across the continent and the diaspora, we offer regionally adapted pricing. Africa-based applicants benefit from a reduced fee structure to reflect local economies and support emerging voices. Diaspora and international participants are invited to contribute through a standard fee, which helps fund outreach and the awards ceremony.
ENTRY FEES 2026 – APPLICATIONS FROM AFRICAN COUNTRIES
The AIDA Awards entry fees are calculated per project submitted and are determined based on the country associated with your billing information or company location.
ENTRY FEES 2026 – INTERNATIONAL APPLICATIONS
The AIDA Awards entry fees are calculated per project submitted and are determined based on the country associated with your billing information or company location.
Submission fees are exclusive of VAT, unless the company is based in Switzerland. VAT, when applicable, has to be declared locally.
No Further Fees: Unlike some other design awards and competitions, there are no further fees for winning the award: Everything listed in the winner’s benefits will be provided free of charge.
DEADLINES & DISCOUNT – AIDA AWARDS 2026
The Africa International Design Awards are open to anyone aged 18 and above, regardless of their country of residence. Applicants living outside of Africa should either be of African origin or submit projects that have been developed or realised in Africa. All submissions must demonstrate a clear and meaningful connection to the continent.
3C Awards is a leading organisation curating and promoting design across the globe.
The company’s key mission is to promote design by rewarding great designs, exhibiting, developing designers and artist communities, providing networking opportunities, and promoting the appreciation of design excellence through education, outreach, and grants.
The 3C Awards represent today’s diversity and innovation in lighting design, furniture design, sports design, interior design, and architecture. Each brand is a symbol of design excellence around the world, showcasing the work of professional and emerging designers to more than 120 expert jury members.
The 3C Awards, for which entries are submitted from 65 countries each year, offer designers and students a unique opportunity to reach new markets and increase exposure and media coverage.
Africa Design School is a design school that trains designers to international standards, empowering them to make Africa shine on the global stage. Initiated by the École de Design de Nantes Atlantique and supported by the Sèmè City Development Agency, the school opened its doors in 2019 in Cotonou with the mission of training designers in Africa.
The school was created to address the challenges faced by businesses, public services, and startups on the continent, which must adapt to new paradigms of creation, digital culture, sustainable cities, and user experience.
To achieve this, Africa Design School has established a strong pedagogical model and a comprehensive curriculum.
