Africa Sustainable Futures Awards

15 August 2025

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT YOUR ENTRIES

15 September 2025

SHORTLIST ANNOUNCEMENT

22 October 2025

AWARDS CEREMONY

The Financial Times and the World Bank Group have launched the second edition of the Africa Sustainable Futures Awards, a major annual programme that promotes innovative, long-term solutions to development challenges in Africa.

The Africa Sustainable Futures Awards will again showcase commercially viable initiatives that provide transformative, resilient and scalable solutions to these issues, and address not just current needs but also the well-being of future generations, at a time when it is more important than ever to build self-sustaining models for growth. 

The winner in each category will be announced at a special awards dinner on 22 October 2025 that will conclude the FT’s 12th Africa Summit, a major event in London that will gather African government, business, and finance leaders, together with global investors and industry partners, to discuss how to drive forward the continent’s economic transformation.

Access to Electricity and Infrastructure

 This award recognises innovative projects that significantly advance access to electricity for households, agriculture and industry, and develop essential infrastructure including transport, logistics, water and sanitation, and digital connectivity.  

Agribusiness 

This award celebrates outstanding innovation in African agribusiness that demonstrably drives job creation, operational excellence, and sustainability, while strengthening local communities and actively building vibrant local economies.

Healthcare 

This award recognises innovative, scalable and commercially viable solutions that significantly improve healthcare access, affordability and quality across Africa, with a tangible long-term impact on improving health outcomes and strengthening local healthcare systems.

Local Manufacturing

This award recognises outstanding innovation in local manufacturing across Africa that demonstrably drives job creation, fosters economic diversification, and strengthens local communities. 

Tourism 

This award celebrates innovative initiatives in Africa's tourism sector that contribute to economic growth, job creation, and community development.

Judges’ Award for Excellence

This prize will be awarded to the initiative that in the opinion of the judging panel stands apart among the winners of all core categories for its level of innovation, impact, replicability, financial viability, and sustainability in the context of Africa’s development.

Only initiatives that have been implemented since 2015, and have annual revenues of at least US$3 million or investment of at least US$5 million, will be eligible.  

Innovation Showcase

This special category is designed to highlight exciting new technology ideas that may not meet the eligibility criteria for the core categories but have the potential, with additional funding, to have a transformative impact. Entries should be aligned with the themes of the five core categories.

Download our judging criteria which provides detailed information on the evaluation process, helping you understand how entries are assessed and how winners are selected. Click the link below to download the PDF and gain valuable insights into the judging process. 

If you would like to know more about the awards or have any specific questions for the team, you can contact us via the button below.

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