The African Union (AU) has opened a continental logo and visual identity competition for young African creatives to design the official visual identity for the AU Theme of the Year 2027.\n<\/p>\n
The competition is open to citizens of African Union Member States aged 18 to 24 and gives young designers, artists, students and digital creatives an opportunity to have their work used by the African Union throughout 2027.\n<\/p>\n
The deadline for submissions is 23 October 2026 at 11:59 PM East Africa Time (EAT).\n<\/p>\n
What Is the AU Theme of the Year 2027?<\/p>\n
The AU Theme of the Year 2027 is:\n<\/p>\n
\u201cAU at the Dawn of its 25th Anniversary: Leveraging the Full Potential of SAATM and New Technologies for Continental Integration.\u201d<\/p>\n
The theme focuses on the African Union\u2019s 25-year journey and the role of connectivity, the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and new technologies in advancing continental integration.\n<\/p>\n
The proposed logo should reflect ideas including African integration, open skies, connectivity, innovation, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, youth participation and Agenda 2063.\n<\/p>\n
Who Can Enter?<\/p>\n
The competition is open to:\n<\/p>\n
Citizens of any African Union Member State
\nYoung Africans aged 18\u201324 on the submission deadline
\nStudents
\nDesigners
\nArtists
\nDigital creatives
\nInnovators<\/p>\n
No formal creative qualification is required.\n<\/p>\n
Entries must be submitted individually. Joint or team submissions are not allowed, and each applicant can submit only one entry.\n<\/p>\n
Members of the evaluation process, AU personnel, contractors and their immediate family members are not eligible.<\/p>\n
What Should the Logo Communicate?<\/p>\n
The AU is looking for a visual concept that brings together four main ideas:\n<\/p>\n
The African Union at 25
\nContinental integration and African unity
\nSAATM and connectivity
\nNew technologies and African-led innovation<\/p>\n
The competition guidelines encourage applicants to think about open African skies, movement, digital transformation, AI, inclusion and shared prosperity.\n<\/p>\n
Applicants are advised to avoid national flags, political symbols, cultural stereotypes, copied stock imagery and overly literal combinations of aircraft and technology icons.\n<\/p>\n
What Do You Need to Submit?<\/p>\n
Applicants are required to prepare a complete design package containing:\n<\/p>\n
A primary logo, with and without the campaign title
\nColour version
\nBlack-and-white version
\nReversed version
\nBasic colour palette
\nTypography direction
\nDigital card mock-up
\nEvent backdrop mock-up
\nPublication cover mock-up
\nLogo preview in PNG or JPEG format
\nConcept and motivation note of no more than 500 words
\nProof of nationality and age
\nCompleted application form
\nSigned originality, intellectual property and AI declaration<\/p>\n
The presentation PDF should contain the required logo versions and mock-ups. The logo preview must have a minimum width of 3,000 pixels.\n<\/p>\n
The concept note should explain the idea behind the design, including its symbolism, colours and visual elements, and how it connects with the 2027 AU Theme.\n<\/p>\n
Generative AI Is Not Allowed<\/p>\n
The AU has specifically prohibited the use of generative artificial intelligence in the competition.<\/p>\n
Entries must be original and created by the applicant. Logos generated, modified or substantially enhanced using generative AI will not be accepted.\n<\/p>\n
Applicants can use standard graphic-design software, provided its generative AI features are not used. The AU may also request sketches or evidence of the design process and conduct originality and technical checks.\n<\/p>\n
Prizes<\/p>\n
The competition will award cash prizes to the top three entries:\n<\/p>\n
First place: USD 5,000
\nSecond place: USD 2,000
\nThird place: USD 1,000<\/p>\n
The top three winners will also receive certificates of recognition, acknowledgement through African Union platforms and training opportunities.\n<\/p>\n
The winning designer will have the opportunity to participate in the AU Summit, where the selected logo will be officially unveiled.\n<\/p>\n
The winning concept will also be refined with its creator and adapted according to AU branding guidelines for official use throughout 2027.<\/p>\n
How Will Entries Be Judged?<\/p>\n
The African Union will assess submissions based on several criteria, including:\n<\/p>\n
Relevance to the full 2027 AU Theme \u2013 25%
\nAU values, Agenda 2063 and Pan-African identity \u2013 20%
\nCreativity, originality and visual impact \u2013 20%
\nSimplicity, clarity and recognisability \u2013 15%
\nAdaptability and technical execution \u2013 10%
\nAccessibility, cultural sensitivity and multilingual usability \u2013 5%
\nQuality of the concept note \u2013 5%<\/p>\n
The selection process will include administrative screening, technical evaluation, shortlist verification and final adjudication.\n<\/p>\n
How to Apply<\/p>\n
Eligible young creatives should first review the official competition guidelines and prepare all the required materials.\n<\/p>\n
Applications must be submitted through the official African Union entry portal.\n<\/p>\n