Inaugural edition draws over 300 submissions from 40 countries, spotlighting the global reach of African-centred design
The Africa International Design Awards (AIDA Awards) has announced the winners of its landmark inaugural 2026 edition, recognising outstanding designers, brands, and creative voices shaping the future of African and African-inspired design across the world.
The AIDA Awards was founded to celebrate innovation, sustainability, cultural heritage, and creative excellence across the African design landscape. Its first edition drew more than 300 submissions from over 40 countries including 24 African nations, a testament to the growing global influence and ambition of African-centred creative work.
Spanning four major categories Spatial Design, Product Design, Fashion Design, and Communication Design, the awards honour designers, architects, communication experts, fashion brands, and emerging creatives whose work reflects Africa’s evolving and diverse design identity.
Entries were evaluated by a jury panel led by internationally renowned designer Bibi Seck, joined by respected industry leaders Roberta Annan, Selly Raby Kane, Lani Adeoye, Jomo Tariku, Titi Ogufere, and Issa Diabaté. The panel brought together expertise spanning architecture, fashion, communication, and product design from across the continent and its diaspora. The headline awards recognised work that exemplifies the breadth and ambition of contemporary African design:Architectural Design of the Year — Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement, Hassell and Localworks Product Design of the Year — Stitched, a story of our home, Clout/SA Communication Design of the Year — UE au Sénégal – Baie de Hann, Ag Partners Publicis Africa Group Fashion Design of the Year — The Rowe, World Shoe, Inc.
Fashion And Creative Industry Winners
The fashion category recognised a wide spectrum of creative excellence across company and independent design entries.
Among company winners, standout recognitions included Cape Cobra Leathercraft (South Africa) for accessories, RENIKEJI (Nigeria) for jewellery with Tarkwa Bae, Afrowema (Kenya) for avant-garde with Savage Beauty Heritage, Denim Cartel (Uganda) for fashion tech with Back To Sender, and Masa Mara (South Africa) for haute couture with the SILENCE THE GUN COLLECTION. Sustainable fashion was recognised across three winners, Something Good Studio (South Africa), Kente Gentleman (Switzerland), and Lohije (Nigeria) while textile honours went to Nyny Ryke (United Kingdom) for eco-textile innovation and Ruks à la mode (Switzerland) for traditional print.
Prêt-à-porter recognition spanned six designers across Senegal, South Africa, Rwanda, and Switzerland, reflecting the geographic diversity of the category. Full company winner listings are available at africainternationaldesignawards.com.
In the independent design category, winners represented nine countries across Africa and its diaspora. Highlights included Jean-Claude Tjitamunisa (Namibia) for jewellery, Onesimo Bam (South Africa) for avant-garde, Denise Batumike (Switzerland) and Ogochukwu Akabogu (Nigeria) for haute couture, and Sharon Omowayeola (United Kingdom) and Thomas Bef Studio (Kenya) for sustainable fashion.
The AIDA Awards positions itself as more than a recognition programme. It is a movement dedicated to elevating African creativity on the global stage while championing design that is socially impactful, culturally grounded, and built for the future. The inaugural edition’s reach across 40 countries signals that the appetite for a pan-African design platform of this scale and ambition is real, and growing.
The Awards also recognised independent designers, emerging creatives, honourable mentions, and country picks across all categories, ensuring that the full diversity of the African creative ecosystem is represented.
For more information and the full list of winners, visit africainternationaldesignawards.com
