Inside the AIDA Awards 2026 Conferences & Ceremony

Cotonou, Benin – July 2026 — The inaugural Africa International Design Awards (AIDA Awards) reached a milestone this past weekend as designers, architects, innovators, and creative leaders from across Africa and beyond gathered in Cotonou, Benin, for two days of conferences, networking, and celebration. Held on 24–25 July 2026, the event marked the culmination of the Awards’ first edition and celebrated a new platform dedicated to recognising and elevating African design excellence on the global stage.

The programme opened on 24 July at Sèmè One, bringing together award winners, jury members, industry experts, students, and design enthusiasts for a full day of inspiring conversations and knowledge sharing. The conference featured keynote presentations, panel discussions, networking sessions, and Fire Talks delivered by AIDA Award winners, before concluding with an exclusive visit to the Africa Design School.

Among the day’s highlights was an inspiring keynote by Bibi Seck, Head of the AIDA Awards Jury, entitled “The Power of Craft: Where Design Begins and Becomes Our Legacy.” This was followed by the panel discussion “African Design Junctions: Shaping Global Futures,” moderated by Lani Adeoye and featuring leading designers and jury members Rhoda Aguonigho, Bibi Seck, and Charles O. Job. The conference concluded with Charles Johnson’s keynote, “Made in Africa: Designing for the World,” exploring how his pioneering footwear company, The Rowe, manufactured in Ghana, is demonstrating the global potential of African manufacturing and design innovation. Throughout the day, discussions reflected on the remarkable success of the Awards’ inaugural edition, which attracted nearly 300 submissions from 40 countries, evaluated by an international jury of 41 experts representing 18 nationalities.

The afternoon programme was dedicated to the AIDA Awards Fire Talks, where twelve winning designers presented their award-winning projects, offering audiences an inside look into their creative processes, inspirations, and the social and cultural impact of their work. The day concluded with a guided visit to the Africa Design School, further strengthening connections between education, innovation, and industry.

On Saturday, 25 July, the celebrations continued at the Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hotel & Spa, where more than 100 designers, partners, jury members, and distinguished guests gathered for the inaugural AIDA Awards Ceremony.

The evening, hosted by Hossein Farmani ( Co-founder of Three C Group Gmbh) and Helena Segon (Partnership Director), celebrated the outstanding achievements of the 2026 AIDA Awards winners, featuring presentations of the winning projects, the announcement of the Designers of the Year across the disciplines of Architecture, Product Design, Fashion Design, and Communication Design, and the presentation of the coveted AIDA Awards trophies. Guests then enjoyed a cocktail reception and an exhibition showcasing a curated selection of the winning projects, creating opportunities for meaningful exchanges between designers, partners, and the wider creative community.

“The AIDA Awards were born from a simple idea: to stand alongside Africa’s designers, build a community, and help their work be seen. Last weekend in Cotonou, surrounded by this year’s winners, jury members, and the design community, that idea came to life. This is what it looks like when a continent’s ingenuity is given the stage it truly deserves.”

— Astrid Hébert, Director, 3C Awards Group and Co-Founder of the AIDA Awards

The success of the inaugural edition was made possible through the support of an exceptional network of partners committed to advancing African creativity. At the heart of the initiative stands the Africa Design School, together with principal supporters L’École de Design Nantes Atlantique and the African Fashion Foundation. The AIDA Awards are also proud to collaborate with Decorex Africa, Pan Afrikan Design Institute (PADI), Africa Fashion Tour, Africa Female Architects, Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW), DEFSA, Design Week South Africa, Fashion Law Institute Africa, Design Week Lagos, and official media partner D5 Magazine, all contributing to the Awards’ growing influence across the continent and internationally.

Building on the momentum of this landmark first edition, the AIDA Awards are now officially open for the 2027 programme, welcoming submissions from architects, interior designers, product designers, fashion designers, and communication designers from across Africa and the African diaspora.

Relive the inaugural AIDA Awards through the official event photo galleries conference & ceremony and join us as we continue to celebrate the future of African design.