Apply: Forty Under 40 Africa Awards 2026 for Young African Business Leaders
Applications are now open for the Forty Under 40 Africa Awards 2026.
This offers young African entrepreneurs, founders, business leaders and professionals an opportunity to gain recognition for their achievements, leadership and contribution to their communities.
The annual awards are designed to identify and celebrate influential young business leaders who have demonstrated business growth, professional excellence and community impact across Africa.
For the 2026 edition, nominations opened on September 10, 2026, and will close on October 31, 2026. The programme is open to eligible African citizens living on the continent or in the diaspora.
Who Can Be Nominated?
The opportunity is targeted at Africans who are under 40 or turning 40 in the year of the event and are entrepreneurs, shareholders, founders or co-founders of companies.
Importantly, the awards operate through third-party nominations, meaning individuals cannot nominate themselves. The organisers also state that submitting multiple nominations for the same person does not provide an advantage.
The organisers are looking for young leaders whose work demonstrates measurable achievements, professional growth and meaningful contributions to their industries or communities.
40 Award Categories
The 2026 awards cover a broad range of sectors, providing opportunities for recognition across industries.
Categories include Agriculture and Agro-Processing, Architecture, Aviation, Education, Banking and Finance, Beauty and Lifestyle, Climate Sustainability, Community Development, Consultancy and Professional Services, Energy/Oil and Gas, Fashion, Healthcare, Hospitality, Insurance, Journalism, Law, Manufacturing, Media, Music and Entertainment, Real Estate, Science, Technology and Innovation, Sports, Social Enterprise, Telecoms and Software Development, among others.
What Nominees Need
Nominators and nominees should be prepared to provide supporting information and documentation. The organisers indicate that materials may include a passport copy, professional photograph, company registration documents, financial statements, awards, media coverage and other evidence of the nominee’s achievements.
Entries are assessed by an independent judging panel, which considers nominees’ profiles, achievements, financial performance where applicable and other relevant criteria for their respective categories.
2026/2027 Timeline
- Nominations open: September 10, 2026
- Nominations close: October 31, 2026
- Nominees published/Voting begins: November 9, 2026
- Voting closes: December 31, 2026
- Tourism activities: March 16–19, 2027
- Summit and Awards Night: March 20, 2027, in Accra, Ghana
The initiative seeks to put the spotlight on a new generation of African business leaders while creating a platform for networking, visibility and recognition across the continent.
Young African entrepreneurs and professionals who meet the eligibility requirements can therefore encourage colleagues, business partners, mentors or other eligible individuals who know their work to submit a nomination before the October 31 deadline.
How to Nominate: Interested nominators can submit entries through the official Forty Under 40 Africa Awards platform.
Nominate for the Forty Under 40 Africa Awards 2026
