Young African creatives are invited to participate in the African Union Theme of the Year 2027 Official Logo and Visual Identity Competition and stand a chance to win part of USD 8,000 in prize money.

The competition is being organised by the African Union Commission’s Infrastructure and Energy Department, with support from the African Union Development Agency–NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD), to develop a distinctive visual identity for the AU Theme of the Year 2027.

The 2027 Theme will highlight Africa’s journey toward greater integration and connectivity, including the significance of the African Union’s 25-year journey, the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), and the transformative role of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, digital identity, cybersecurity, digital public infrastructure and space technologies.

The competition seeks creative concepts that visually communicate the aspirations of a connected, integrated, inclusive and prosperous Africa. The winning logo will serve as the official visual identity of the Theme throughout 2027 and will be used across African Union and partner platforms.

By putting young Africans at the centre of the creative process, the initiative aims to recognise emerging talent and give Africa’s youth an opportunity to contribute directly to the visual identity of a major continental priority.

The competition is open to citizens of all African Union Member States who are aged 18–24 on the submission deadline. Applicants must submit individually; team or joint submissions are not permitted. Students, designers, artists, digital creatives and innovators are welcome to apply, and formal creative qualifications are not required.

Applicants must submit an original logo created specifically for the competition. The design should reflect African diversity and shared identity while communicating themes of continental integration, open and connected skies, infrastructure, technology and Africa’s shared future. The logo must work effectively in colour and monochrome, at different sizes and on both light and dark backgrounds. It must also be adaptable for use across the AU’s working languages.

Each applicant must submit a completed application form containing their personal details and brief profile, proof of nationality and age, and a presentation PDF containing the primary logo, colour version, black-and-white version, reversed version and three mock-ups. Applicants must also provide a high-resolution PNG or JPEG preview with a minimum width of 3000 pixels, a concept note of no more than 500 words explaining the idea, symbolism, colour choices and adaptability of the design, and a signed originality, intellectual-property and AI declaration.

The logo must be entirely original and must not have been previously published or submitted elsewhere. Entries must not reproduce the AU emblem, existing logos, national symbols, stock material or third-party content. Shortlisted applicants will be required to provide editable vector source files, including SVG, EPS or AI formats, within three working days.

Applicants must remove their name, signature, photograph and social-media handles from the logo presentation. Personal identification should only appear in the application form. The completed submission package must be submitted through the official channel provided on the competition webpage, and applicants are advised to retain the automated acknowledgement as proof of submission.

The competition offers USD 5,000 for first place, USD 2,000 for second place and USD 1,000 for third place. Winners will also receive certificates of recognition, official acknowledgement through African Union platforms and training opportunities. The first-place winner will have the opportunity to participate in the AU Summit, where the winning logo will be officially unveiled.

The winning concept will subsequently be refined in consultation with the applicant and in line with African Union branding guidelines for official use throughout 2027.

Eligibility: Citizens of AU Member States aged 18–24 on the submission deadline
Application type: Individual submissions only
Prize: USD 8,000 total prize pool
First prize: USD 5,000
Second prize: USD 2,000
Third prize: USD 1,000

Scroll down for more details and click on the official link attached below to apply for this opportunity