Are you a young African designer with a strong creative eye? The African Union Commission is looking for a logo for its 2027 Theme of the Year, and the winner takes home US$5,000. The winning design will be used across AU communications throughout 2027 and unveiled at the AU Summit. The competition is open to citizens of AU member states aged 18 to 24, and entries close on 23 October 2026.
Competition at a Glance
- Organiser: African Union Commission (Infrastructure and Energy Department), supported by AUDA-NEPAD
- Task: Design the official logo for the AU Theme of the Year 2027
- Top prize: US$5,000
- Who can enter: Citizens of AU member states aged 18–24
- Entry fee: None
- Deadline: 23 October 2026 (see the note on timing below)
About the 2027 Theme
The 2027 theme was adopted by the AU Assembly at its 39th Ordinary Session. It marks the AU approaching its 25th anniversary and focuses on unlocking the full potential of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), the AU flagship project to open up air travel between African countries, together with new technologies for continental integration. Read the full theme wording in the official competition documents before you start designing. Relevance to the complete theme carries the most weight in judging.
Benefits
| Position | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st place | US$5,000 |
| 2nd place | US$2,000 |
| 3rd place | US$1,000 |
All three winners also receive:
- A certificate of recognition
- Official acknowledgement on AU platforms
- Training opportunities
The first-place winner may also be invited to the AU Summit, where the logo will be unveiled.
Eligibility
- You must be a citizen of an African Union member state.
- You must be aged 18 to 24 on the submission deadline.
- Entries are individual only. Team or joint entries are not allowed.
- Each person may submit one entry.
- No formal design qualification is required.
- AU staff, contractors, members of the evaluation panel and their immediate families cannot enter.
Important Rules
- No generative AI: Your logo must be original and created by you. AI-generated designs are not allowed.
- No existing symbols: Do not copy the AU emblem, existing logos, national flags or symbols, or any third-party material.
- Anonymous presentation: Remove your name and any identifying details from the logo presentation file.
What to Submit
- Application form with your name, nationality, date of birth, contact details and a short profile
- Proof of nationality and age, such as a passport or national ID
- Presentation PDF showing:
- the primary logo
- colour, black-and-white and reversed versions
- three mock-ups: a digital card, an event backdrop and a publication cover
- High-resolution preview (PNG or JPEG, at least 3000px wide)
- Concept note of up to 500 words explaining your design
- Signed declaration covering originality, intellectual property and AI use
If you are shortlisted, you will need to send editable vector files (for example AI, EPS or SVG) within three working days, so keep your working files ready.
How Entries Are Judged
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Relevance to the complete theme | 25% |
| Reflection of AU values, Agenda 2063 and Pan-African identity | 20% |
| Creativity, originality and visual impact | 20% |
| Simplicity, clarity and recognisability | 15% |
| Adaptability and technical execution | 10% |
| Accessibility, cultural sensitivity and multilingual use | 5% |
| Quality of the concept note | 5% |
The AU Commission may decide not to award a prize if no entry meets the required standard.
Tips for a Winning Logo
- Cover the whole theme. A logo that only shows a plane misses half the brief. Find a way to reflect the 25th anniversary, air connectivity and continental integration together.
- Keep it simple. The logo must work small on a phone screen and large on a stage backdrop. Test it at both sizes.
- Check it in black and white. A strong logo still works without colour.
- Write a clear concept note. Explain your choices of shape, colour and symbolism and how they connect to the theme and Agenda 2063.
- Think multilingual. The AU works in several languages, so avoid designs that depend on English wordplay.
How to Apply
- Download and read the official competition documents on the AU website.
- Create your logo, presentation PDF, preview image and concept note.
- Complete the application form and attach your proof of age and nationality and the signed declaration.
- Submit your full package through the official AU channel linked on the competition page.
- Save the automatic acknowledgement email as proof that you submitted.
Timing note: The AU page gives the deadline as 23 October 2026 at 23:59 East Africa Time, but its event listing shows 15:00 that day. To be safe, submit before 15:00 EAT on 23 October, or earlier.
View the official AU Theme of the Year 2027 Logo Competition page
