The Africa International Design Awards (AIDA) is a pioneering design advocacy platform that recognises and celebrates both African designers and international designers whose work is deeply rooted in Africa, creating innovative solutions to address the unique challenges faced by African communities.

AIDA Awards serves as an international stage to celebrate African designers while fostering a global conversation about Africa’s role in shaping the future of design. By highlighting innovative solutions for the continent’s diverse challenges, AIDA aims to spark conversations, inspire change, and increase international collaboration.

Please download the attached document for detailed information on the categories and application process.

Key Objectives:

• Celebrate African and International Designers whose work is rooted in Africa’s rich cultural and environmental context for the benefit of African citizens
• Promote sustainability, creativity, and forward-thinking designs that have the power to draft answers to the huge demographics challenge that the youngest continent of the World will face
• Foster collaboration between emerging talents (students) and established professionals, startups and large companies, in order to pave the way to find new paths that do not reproduce the excesses of existing models

The AIDA Awards, open to both professional and emerging designers, was launched in 2025, with the inaugural ceremony in Cotonou, Benin.

AIDA will focus on four design disciplines, from Architecture and Interior Design that shape our built environment, to Product Design that enhances everyday life through functional innovation. We honor Graphic & UX Design for its role in communication and digital experience, and Fashion Design for its powerful expression of identity, culture, and sustainability. Each category highlights creativity and reflects Africa’s unique voice in global design.

Open to Companies, Independent Designers and Students, AIDA is committed to supporting talented designers by offering a platform to showcase their work, connect with industry leaders, and gain valuable exposure within a vibrant creative community.

KEY DATES

• LAUNCH - JULY 2025
• CALL FOR ENTRIES TILL MARCH 2026
• PROGRAM CLOSURE - MARCH 2026
• VOTE & WINNERS ANNOUNCEMENT - APRIL 2026
• AWARDS CEREMONY - JULY 2026 IN COTONOU, BENIN

The AIDA Awards Gala & Ceremony will take place during the second edition of Africa Design Week in 2026—a vibrant week-long celebration showcasing the winners' work through exhibitions, workshops, creative gatherings, and inspiring moments around design, art, and innovation.

The AIDA Mission

Africa faces a unique set of challenges, ranging from rapid urbanisation and limited resources to social inequality and environmental pressures, that demand creative and practical solutions. In this context, design plays a powerful role as a tool for problem-solving, cultural expression, and sustainable development. African designers are responding with
innovation rooted in local knowledge, traditions, and resilience.

AIDA is driven by collaboration

3C Awards Group is a professional organisation that develops platforms dedicated to promoting Architecture and Design internationally, with the ambition of launching an initiative in the African region. Africa Design School (ADS), the first non-profit design school in West Africa, is committed to nurturing talent and drawing on proven expertise.

AIDA is promoting emerging talents

AIDA is committed to supporting emerging talent, which is essential for the growth and vitality of the design industry. By nurturing fresh voices and innovative ideas, AIDA helps shape a more dynamic, inclusive, and forward-thinking creative landscape.