Deadline: October 23, 2026
Applications are open for the AU Theme of the Year 2027 Logo Competition. 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.
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.
Prizes
- First Prize: USD $5,000
- Second Prize: USD $2,000
- Third Prize: USD 1,000
- 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.
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
Application
Application checklist include:
- 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
For more information, visit AU Theme of the Year 2027 Logo Competition.
