AU Theme of the Year 2027 Logo Competition – Apply Now
The African Union (AU) has opened applications for a continental logo and visual identity competition inviting young African creatives to design the official visual identity for the AU Theme of the Year 2027.
The competition provides young designers, artists, students and digital creatives across Africa with an opportunity to contribute to the visual identity of a major continental initiative, with the winning design set to be used by the African Union throughout 2027.
The competition is being organised by the African Union Commission’s Infrastructure and Energy Department, with support from the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD).
What Is the AU Theme of the Year 2027?
The theme for 2027 is:
“AU at the Dawn of its 25th Anniversary: Leveraging the Full Potential of SAATM and New Technologies for Continental Integration.”
The theme links the African Union’s 25-year journey with the broader objectives of Agenda 2063, highlighting the importance of physical, digital and institutional connectivity in advancing African integration.
It also places emphasis on the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, digital identity, cybersecurity, digital public infrastructure and space technologies.
Who Can Apply?
The competition is open to:
- Citizens of any African Union Member State.
- Young Africans aged 18 to 24 years as of the application deadline.
- Designers, artists, students, digital creatives and innovators.
- Applicants without formal creative qualifications, provided they can demonstrate their creative ability.
Entries must be submitted individually, and each applicant is allowed to submit only one entry.
What Should the Logo Represent?
The proposed logo should provide a strong visual interpretation of the 2027 theme and capture key ideas including:
- The African Union at 25.
- Continental integration and African unity.
- Open African skies and SAATM.
- Connectivity and movement across Africa.
- New technologies and digital transformation.
- African-led innovation and creativity.
- Youth, inclusion and shared prosperity.
- The aspirations of Agenda 2063.
The AU is seeking designs that are distinctive, memorable, adaptable and capable of communicating the theme across different platforms and audiences.
What Applicants Need to Submit
Applicants are required to prepare a complete logo presentation containing:
- Primary logo, with and without the campaign title.
- Colour version.
- Black-and-white version.
- Reversed version.
- Basic colour palette and typography direction.
- Digital card mock-up.
- Event backdrop mock-up.
- Publication cover mock-up.
Applicants must also submit a high-resolution PNG or JPEG preview and a concept note of no more than 500 words explaining the idea, symbolism, colours and visual elements behind the design.
Important Design Requirement
All entries must be original and created specifically for the competition.
The African Union has also stated that generative AI is not permitted. Logos generated, modified or substantially enhanced using generative AI will not be accepted.
Applicants may use standard graphic-design software, but generative AI features must not be used in creating the submitted work. Shortlisted applicants may also be required to provide editable source files and evidence of their design process.
Prizes
The competition offers a total prize pool of $8,000, distributed as follows:
- First place: $5,000
- Second place: $2,000
- Third place: $1,000
Winners will also receive certificates of recognition, acknowledgement through African Union platforms and training opportunities.
The first-place winner will have the opportunity to participate in the AU Summit, where the winning logo will be officially unveiled. The selected concept will subsequently be refined with the creator and used as the official visual identity for the AU Theme of the Year 2027.
Application Deadline
The deadline for submissions is October 23, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. East Africa Time (EAT/UTC+3).
Eligible young African creatives are encouraged to prepare their designs and submit their entries before the deadline.
Apply Now: AU Theme of the Year 2027 Official Application Portal
