Call for Entries: Young African Creatives Invited to Design the Official Logo and Visual Identity for the AU Theme of the Year 2027
“AU at the Dawn of its 25th Anniversary: Leveraging the Full Potential of SAATM and New Technologies for Continental Integration”
Background & Purpose
The 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government adopted the AU Theme of the Year 2027: “AU at the Dawn of its 25th Anniversary: Leveraging the Full Potential of SAATM and New Technologies for Continental Integration.” The Theme connects the Union’s 25-year journey with the aspirations of Agenda 2063, highlighting physical, digital and institutional connectivity as essential drivers of African integration.
The Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), launched in 2018, is a flagship project of Agenda 2063 aimed at creating a unified and liberalised air transport market across Africa. At the same time, New technologies, including artificial intelligence, digital identity, cybersecurity, digital public infrastructure and space technologies, are transforming connectivity across the continent, guided by AU Digital Transformation Strategy (DTS 2020 – 2030).
To give the Theme a distinctive, meaningful and youth-driven visual identity, the African Union Commission’s Infrastructure and Energy Department, with the support of the African Union Development Agency–NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD), is launching a continental logo competition for young African creatives.
More than a design exercise, the competition invites Africa’s youth to give visual expression to the continent’s shared aspirations. It calls on emerging creatives to capture the significance of the African Union’s 25-year journey, the promise of open and connected African skies through SAATM, the transformative potential of new technologies, and the enduring vision of a more integrated, inclusive and prosperous Africa.
The selected logo will serve as the visual identity of the Theme throughout 2027, conveying its ambition and significance across the continent and beyond. It should reflect Africa’s rich diversity and shared identity while portraying a continent in motion connected through its people, infrastructure and technologies, and united by a common vision for the future.
By placing young Africans at the centre of the creative process, the initiative recognises that Africa’s youth are not only beneficiaries of continental integration but also active contributors to shaping its future. Their creativity, imagination and understanding of Africa’s evolving identity will help translate this continental priority into a powerful and memorable visual expression.
Objectives
The logo competition aims to:
- Engage young Africans in shaping the public identity of a continental priority.
- Generate early awareness, ownership and momentum around the Theme of the Year.
- Translate the AU at 25, African integration, SAATM and new technologies into a clear and compelling visual concept.
- Reflect African Union values, Agenda 2063 and the aspirations of a connected, inclusive and prosperous Africa.
- Create a consistent visual identity for use by the African Union and its partners throughout 2027.
- Recognise and promote emerging African creative talent.
Design Deliverables & Direction
REQUIRED SUBMISSION
- Primary logo mark (with & without campaign title)
- Colour, monochrome and reversed versions
- Basic colour palette and typography direction
- Short explanation of concept, symbolism and relation to the Theme
- Three mock-ups: digital card, event backdrop, publication cover
STRATEGIC ARCHITECTURE
The logo should communicate AU at 25 (milestone, bridge), Africa’s integration (connected one Africa), SAATM (open skies, connectivity) and New technologies (African-led innovation, AI, digital).
CORE KEYWORDS
continental integration · open African skies · movement · connectivity · SAATM · new technologies · AI · digital transformation · African ownership · youth · inclusion · opportunity · shared prosperity · Agenda 2063
Design caution: Avoid national flags or political symbols, distorted maps, cultural stereotypes, copied stock icons, overly literal combinations of aircraft and circuitry, or details that disappear at small sizes.
Eligibility
- Open to citizens of all AU Member States aged 18–24 on the submission deadline.
- Entries must be submitted by individuals (no joint/team submissions).
- Students, designers, artists, digital creatives, innovators welcome — formal qualifications not required.
- One entry per applicant.
- Members of the evaluation process, AU personnel, contractors and immediate family are not eligible.
Required Submission Package
- Completed application form (name, nationality, DOB, contact, brief profile)
- Proof of nationality and age
- Presentation PDF with primary logo, colour, B&W, reversed versions + 3 mock-ups
- Preview PNG/JPEG (minimum width 3000px)
- Concept note (≤500 words) explaining idea, symbolism, colour, adaptability
- Signed originality, intellectual-property and AI declaration
Technical, Originality & AI Requirements
- Must be original, created specifically for this competition, not previously published or submitted.
- Must not reproduce the AU emblem, existing logos, national symbols, stock or third-party material.
- Design must remain recognisable in colour/monochrome, at small sizes, on light/dark backgrounds.
- Wordmark must allow adaptation into AU working languages.
- Shortlisted applicants must provide editable vector source files (SVG, EPS, .ai) within 3 working days.
- Generative AI is not permitted. All entries must be original, human-created. Logos generated, modified or substantially enhanced using generative AI will not be accepted. Standard graphic-design software may be used, provided its generative AI features are not used.
- Shortlisted applicants may be required to submit preliminary sketches and evidence of design process. The AUC may undertake originality, reverse-image, metadata and technical checks. Misrepresentation, plagiarism or prohibited AI use will result in disqualification.
Submission Procedure
- Download and read competition documents from the official webpage.
- Prepare complete submission package in required formats.
- Remove applicant’s name, signature, photo and social-media handle from the logo presentation (applicant info only in the application form).
- Submit through the official channel accessible from the competition webpage.
- Retain the automated acknowledgement as proof.
Evaluation Criteria & Selection Process
| Criterion | Assessment Focus | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Relevance to the complete Theme | Integrates AU at 25, Africa’s integration, SAATM and new technologies into a coherent concept with public value | 25% |
| AU values, Agenda 2063 & Pan-African identity | Reflects unity, African ownership, inclusion and aspirations without privileging one country or region | 20% |
| Creativity, originality and visual impact | Distinctive, fresh, ownable concept with strong visual presence, no evident imitation | 20% |
| Simplicity, clarity and recognisability | Easy to understand, memorable and effective at large and small sizes | 15% |
| Adaptability and technical execution | Works across print, digital, video, merchandise, events and multilingual applications, colour/monochrome | 10% |
| Accessibility, cultural sensitivity and multilingual usability | Uses inclusive visual language, suitable contrast, symbol works across languages | 5% |
| Quality of the concept note | Explains design choices clearly and consistently with submitted work | 5% |
SELECTION PROCESS
- Administrative review: timely receipt, eligibility, completeness, declarations.
- Technical evaluation: anonymised evaluation against criteria by a communication & design panel.
- Shortlist verification: vector files, sketches, process evidence, originality checks.
- Final adjudication: committee recommends winner and reserve entry.
- Approval & refinement: institutional approval and professional refinement with winner.
The African Union Commission may decide not to make an award if no submission meets the required standard.
Award & Recognition
USD 5,000
First place
USD 2,000
Second place
USD 1,000
Third place
In addition:
- A certificate of recognition;
- Official acknowledgement through African Union platforms; and
- Training opportunities.
The winner will also have the opportunity to participate in the AU Summit, where the winning logo will be officially unveiled.
The winning concept will be refined in consultation with the applicant and in accordance with African Union branding guidelines for official use throughout 2027. Any additional recognition arrangements will be communicated on the official competition webpage.
Intellectual Property & Data Protection
- Applicants retain ownership during the competition, granting AUC a limited licence for administration and evaluation.
- Winner assigns copyright and IP rights to AUC through the required instrument.
- Winner agrees the design may be adapted, translated, animated and reproduced for official use.
- Applicants warrant originality and no prohibited AI use or third-party material.
- Personal data is collected only for competition administration, eligibility, and recognition; handled under AU rules.
Applicant Checklist
- Completed application form and brief profile
- Proof of nationality and age
- Presentation PDF containing all required logo versions and three mock-ups
- High-resolution PNG or JPEG preview files (min 3000px)
- Signed originality, IP and AI declaration
- Applicant identity removed from the design presentation
- Complete package submitted through the official channel before the deadline
Closing date: Oct 23, 2026 – 15:00