AU Theme of the Year 2027 Logo Competition

The African Union has opened applications for the AU Theme of the Year 2027 Logo Competition, inviting young African creatives to design the official visual identity for the African Union’s 2027 theme. The competition offers young designers, artists, students and digital creatives an opportunity to contribute to a major continental initiative while showcasing their creativity on an African and international platform.

The AU Theme of the Year 2027 is “AU at the Dawn of its 25th Anniversary: Leveraging the Full Potential of SAATM and New Technologies for Continental Integration.” The theme connects the African Union’s 25 year journey with the aspirations of Agenda 2063, highlighting continental integration through physical connectivity, digital transformation, new technologies and institutional cooperation.

The competition is being organised by the African Union Commission’s Infrastructure and Energy Department, with support from the African Union Development Agency and NEPAD. The selected logo will provide the visual identity for the theme throughout 2027 and will be used by the African Union and its partners across relevant communications and activities.

About the Competition

The AU Theme of the Year 2027 Logo Competition seeks to give young Africans a direct role in shaping the public identity of an important continental priority.

The design should visually communicate the relationship between the African Union’s 25th anniversary, continental integration, the Single African Air Transport Market and new technologies. The African Union describes the competition as more than a design exercise, encouraging participants to express the aspirations of a connected, inclusive and prosperous Africa.

The logo should capture ideas including open African skies, movement, connectivity, African led innovation, digital transformation, youth participation, inclusion, shared prosperity and Agenda 2063.

The selected visual identity is expected to remain effective across different communication formats, including digital platforms, publications, events and other official materials.

Competition Benefits

• First prize of US$5,000

• Second prize of US$2,000

• Third prize of US$1,000

• Certificate of recognition

• Official acknowledgement through African Union platforms

• Training opportunities

• Opportunity for the winner to participate in the AU Summit

• Official unveiling of the winning logo at the AU Summit

• Opportunity for the winning concept to be refined with the African Union for official use throughout 2027

• International visibility for emerging African creative talent

Design Areas

Applicants are expected to develop a visual concept that reflects several connected dimensions of the 2027 theme.

• African Union at 25

• Continental integration and African unity

• Single African Air Transport Market and open skies

• New technologies and digital transformation

• Artificial intelligence

• Digital identity

• Cybersecurity

• Digital public infrastructure

• African led innovation

• Youth and inclusion

• Connectivity and shared prosperity

• Agenda 2063

The African Union advises applicants to avoid national flags, political symbols, distorted maps, cultural stereotypes, copied stock icons and overly literal combinations of aircraft and circuitry. The logo should remain clear and recognisable even when reproduced at small sizes.

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to citizens of African Union Member States

• Applicants must be between 18 and 24 years old on the submission deadline

• Applicants must submit individually

• Only one entry is permitted per applicant

• Students are eligible

• Designers and artists are eligible

• Digital creatives are eligible

• Innovators are eligible

• Formal academic or professional qualifications are not required

• The design must be original and created specifically for the competition

• The design must not have been previously published, licensed, sold, awarded or submitted to another competition

• Applicants involved in the evaluation process are not eligible

• African Union personnel and contractors are not eligible

• Immediate family members of excluded personnel are also not eligible

Generative artificial intelligence is not permitted. All submitted designs must be human created. Standard graphic design software may be used, provided its generative artificial intelligence features are not used.

Required Application Materials

• Completed application form

• Applicant name, nationality, date of birth and contact information

• Brief profile of the applicant

• Proof of nationality and age

• Presentation PDF containing the primary logo

• Colour version of the logo

• Black and white version

• Reversed version

• Basic colour palette

• Typography direction

• Three mock ups consisting of a digital card, event backdrop and publication cover

• High resolution PNG or JPEG preview with a minimum width of 3,000 pixels

• Concept and motivation statement of no more than 500 words

• Signed originality, intellectual property and artificial intelligence declaration

• Applicant identity removed from the design presentation

The concept statement should explain the idea behind the logo, its symbolism, colours and visual elements, and how the design represents the AU Theme of the Year 2027.

Selection Criteria

Submissions will be evaluated according to several criteria.

• Relevance to the complete AU Theme of the Year 2027

• Reflection of AU values and Agenda 2063

• Pan African identity and African ownership

• Creativity and originality

• Visual impact

• Simplicity and clarity

• Recognisability at different sizes

• Adaptability and technical execution

• Accessibility and cultural sensitivity

• Multilingual usability

• Quality of the concept statement

The evaluation process includes administrative review, technical assessment, verification of shortlisted entries, final adjudication and institutional approval. Shortlisted applicants may be asked to provide editable vector files, preliminary sketches or evidence of their design process.

How to Apply

1. Review the official competition guidelines and terms of reference.
2. Confirm that you meet the age and nationality requirements.
3. Develop an original logo concept representing the complete AU Theme of the Year 2027.
4. Prepare the primary logo together with colour, black and white and reversed versions.
5. Prepare the required colour palette, typography direction and three mock ups.
6. Write a concept statement of no more than 500 words explaining the design and its relationship to the theme.
7. Prepare the required high resolution PNG or JPEG preview.
8. Complete the originality, intellectual property and artificial intelligence declaration.
9. Remove your name, photograph, signature and social media handle from the design presentation.
10. Complete the official online application and upload all required documents.
11. Submit the complete application before October 23, 2026 at 23:59 EAT.
12. Retain the automated submission acknowledgement as proof of application.