Call for Entries Calling Young African Creatives Logo Competition · AU Theme of

CALL FOR ENTRIES

Calling Young African Creatives

Logo Competition · AU Theme of the Year 2027

Submission deadline: 9 October 2026 23:59 East Africa Time (UTC+3)

Background

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 & New Technologies for Continental Integration." The Theme connects the Union's journey with Agenda 2063, highlighting physical, digital and institutional connectivity as drivers of African integration.

SAATM (Single African Air Transport Market) is a flagship Agenda 2063 project, launched in 2018 to unify and liberalise African skies. New technologies - AI, digital identity, cybersecurity, digital public infrastructure, space tech - are reshaping connectivity, supported by continental frameworks such as the AU Digital Transformation Strategy and the African Digital Compact.

Purpose & Objectives

The African Union Commission invites young African creatives to propose the official logo and visual identity for the AU Theme 2027. The selected proposal will serve as the creative foundation for the final identity.

• Engage young Africans in shaping the public identity of a continental priority.
• Generate early awareness, ownership and momentum around the Theme.
• Translate AU at 25, Africa's integration, SAATM and new technologies into a clear visual idea.
• Reflect African Union values, Agenda 2063 and the aspirations of a connected, inclusive Africa.
• Create a consistent visual identity for use by the AU and partners throughout 2027.
• Recognise 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 15-21 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 (min 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 AU emblem, existing logos, national symbols, stock or third-party material.
• Design must remain recognisable in colour/monochrome, small sizes, 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

1. Download and read competition documents from the official webpage.
2. Prepare complete submission package in required formats.
3. Remove applicant's name, signature, photo, social-media handle from logo presentation (applicant info only in application form).
4. Submit through official channel accessible from competition webpage.
5. Retain automated acknowledgement as proof.

Evaluation criteria and selection process

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

Winners:

USD 5,000 first place

USD 3,000 second

USD 2,000 third

The winning concept will be refined with the applicant's participation and under AU branding guidance for official use throughout 2027. Certificate and official acknowledgement through AU platforms.

Intellectual property & data protection

• Applicants retain ownership during competition, granting AUC a limited licence for administration and evaluation.
• Winner assigns copyright and IP rights to AUC through required instrument.
• Winner agrees the design may be adapted, translated, animated, reproduced for official use.
• Applicants warrant originality and no prohibited AI use or third-party material.
• Personal data 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 design presentation.

• Complete package submitted through official channel before deadline.

  
  Official references

• Assembly/AU/Dec.952(XXXIX) - AU Theme of the Year 2027

• Terms of Reference

• Application Form

• Originality, Intellectual Property and AI Declaration

Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail:[email protected]
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