Anyone! Designers, architects, developers, creative studios, students, brands, government agencies—if you’ve contributed to a design-led project in Africa (or for Africa), this is your stage.

Projects must fall under one of our listed categories and should have been completed (or launched) between January 2023 and August 2025. For student and concept categories, mock-ups and prototypes are allowed.

All entries must be submitted online via the DWA Awards Portal. You’ll be required to:

1. Select a category
2. Upload your project images (minimum 3, maximum 8)
3. Provide a project description (max 500 words)
4. Attach any relevant videos, floor plans, or supporting docs
   

Pay the entry fee (if applicable to your category)

Yes, there’s a modest entry fee to help cover jury processing and production:

• Professionals: $80 per entry
• Students: $25 per entry

Emerging Designers (under 30): $50 per entry
Note: Early bird discounts apply through July 15, 2025.

Absolutely. You can enter the same project into multiple categories as long as it’s relevant to each. Separate entry forms and fees apply.

A hybrid jury process! Your entry will be:

• Reviewed by a top-tier panel of industry leaders across Africa and the diaspora
• Evaluated on design originality, execution, functionality, and alignment to the category

Voted on by the public (for selected categories)

• Finalists announced: August 30, 2025
• Winners revealed: September 26, 2025 at the Design Week Africa Awards Gala in Tilisi City

Besides continental bragging rights:

• A bespoke Design Week Africa Trophy
• A featured spotlight in the Interiors Design Africa publication
• Digital media coverage across all DWA platforms and our partners’ networks
• A winner’s badge and social kit for promotion

Priority consideration for speaking or exhibiting in 2026