Application to the AIDA Awards

Have you created an outstanding design project — from a bold architectural concept to an innovative product, a powerful graphic identity, or a visionary fashion piece? If you are an Africa-based designer or have roots in Africa, this is your moment.

Apply to the Africa International Design Awards (AIDA) today. We invite all design professionals, students, companies, independent studios, and collectives to submit their work. Selected winners will receive international recognition, visibility across our media platforms, and the opportunity to showcase their vision on the international stage.

How to Participate

Showcase your design to the world. Whether you’re a professional, student, studio or collective, getting started is simple

Register & Create Your Profile

Create your AIDA Awards account today and join a growing community of African designers and creatives. Your profile is your gateway to the global stage.

Choose Your Category

Select from Spatial Design, Product Design, Communication Design, or Fashion. Each discipline celebrates the brilliance of African creativity in unique ways.

Submit Your Best Work

Upload up to 10 high-quality images and tell your story in 800–1,200 characters. You may also add an optional PDF specification sheet (for jury review only) and an optional video or website link to showcase your project.

Complete Your Payment

Complete your submission by paying the entry fee via credit card or PayPal. Any applicable early submission discounts are applied automatically. After payment, you will receive a confirmation email, and your invoice can also be accessed in your profile under History, within the Completed Entries tab.

What You Will you receive?

Official AIDA Awards badge for marketing and professional use

Invitation to the Awards Ceremony in Cotonou, Benin

Connect with a thriving African design community

Personalised certificate of achievement

Exclusive publication in D5 Magazine

Permanent product or project showcase on the AIDA Awards’ website

Categories

Benefits

Deadlines & Fees

Any questions?
We’ve got answers

Explore all the answers

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.

Yes — as long as your project demonstrates a clear connection to Africa, you are welcome to apply.
This connection can take many forms, such as:

→ The project being developed, produced, or implemented in Africa
→ The use of African materials, craft techniques, or cultural references
→ A collaboration with African designers, artisans, or communities

The AIDA Awards are open to all who contribute meaningfully to Africa’s design landscape.

You can upload up to 10 images with each application. Each image can be in JPEG (.jpeg, .jpg) or PNG (.png) format. One image will serve as the cover photo to identify the entry, and the remaining nine are supporting images. Images must not exceed 4MB per file and must be at least 1,000 pixels wide. Please use only letters and numbers in the image file name.

If your entry includes a product specification, you may also upload one PDF file in A4 or letter-sized format. The PDF must not exceed 4MB.

Select Your Category

The Spatial Design category includes both Architecture and Interior Design, focusing on how spaces are created and experienced — shaping stories and emotions.

Spatial Design

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This category honours products that blend function, form, and materials. From consumer electronics to furniture and green design, it highlights products that address practical challenges while enhancing quality of life and promoting sustainability.

Product Design

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Celebrating vibrant visual communication and digital experiences, this category covers graphic design, packaging, advertising, multimedia, and user interface design.

Communication Design

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Fashion as cultural storytelling, this category honours fashion and accessories that bring together aesthetics, purpose, and sustainability.

Fashion Design

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Ready to shine?

Submit your design project and join a global movement celebrating African creativity.
Your work could inspire millions and help shape the future of design.

Start your application

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