What Sets This Award Apart ?

The Africa International Design Awards (AIDA Awards) is dedicated to celebrating design excellence across the African continent and its diaspora. Embracing creativity, innovation, and cultural impact, the programme spans four major disciplines: Spatial Design, Product Design, Fashion Design, and Communication Design.

Our mission is straightforward: to host the most comprehensive design competition dedicated to Africa and its global impact. The AIDA Awards is a powerful platform to promote your work and connect with a truly international design community.

AIDA Awards coveted trophy

Each “Designer of the Year” will be honored at the Awards Ceremony this July in Cotonou, Benin, celebrating their work and vision.

Crafted from recycled plastic sourced across West Africa, the trophy gives new life to existing materials, transforming them into a symbol of design innovation. Its bold, layered forms reflect the richness and diversity of creative voices across the African continent and beyond.

Badge of achievement

Each winning project, along with those granted an honourable mention, will receive an official AIDA Awards badge. This badge is a valuable promotional asset, helping you showcase your achievement across all platforms: your website, business cards, email signature, social media, printed materials, exhibitions, and points of sale.

The AIDA Awards honour smart, innovative, and culturally relevant design, celebrating creativity across Spatial, Product, Fashion, and Communication Design. The programme emphasises originality, quality of materials, atmosphere, and the way people experience and interact with design.

Certificate of achievement

A personalised certificate of achievement will be provided to each winner and honourable mention recipient. The certificate is a sign of excellence and proof of your or your team’s outstanding work and contribution to the industry.

Invitation to the awards ceremony

The Africa International Design Awards (AIDA Awards) will culminate in a winners’ ceremony held in Cotonou, Benin. This special event will celebrate the achievements of all laureates, provide unique networking opportunities, and attract significant media attention across the continent and beyond.

The ceremony will also take place during African Design Week, giving winners the opportunity to attend keynotes, exhibitions, and roundtable events. Laureates will have the chance to meet important institutional representatives and press contacts.

Exclusive media exposure

D5 Magazine is the leading platform for professionals in architecture, interior, industrial, furniture, and lighting design. Explore projects that push the limits of creativity and functionality, while gaining insights from visionary designers. Committed to promoting excellence, diversity, and sustainability, D5 Magazine highlights projects that prioritise social responsibility and environmental consciousness.

AIDA Awards Benefits
Design of the Year – Company
Design of the Year – Independent
Design of the Year – Emerging
Winner
Honorable Mention
AIDA Awards Trophy
Published Winner Interview
Press Release Mention
Feature on the AIDA Awards Newsletter
Featured in the winners’ digital "Book fo Design"
Project Published on D5mag
Dedicated Social Media posts
Invitation to the Awards Ceremony
Digital Badge of Achievement
Digital Certificate
Permanent Online exhibition

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african design?

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Any questions?
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Explore all the answers

Winners are notified by email, but sometimes messages get caught in spam filters. You can always check your results by logging into the “History” section and clicking on “Winning Design”.

To access your winning assets, go to the “History” tab in your AIDA Awards account and click on “Winning Entries”. There you’ll find a printable Winner Certificate and the official Winner badge, which can be used online, on social media, and in any other promotional materials.

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.

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