Nominations are now open for the Forty under 40 Africa Awards 2026, which recognises young African business leaders and professionals under 40 who have made contributions to their industries, businesses, and communities. The awards cover 40 categories, spanning sectors including agriculture, finance, education, technology, healthcare, media, manufacturing, fashion, energy, real estate, social enterprise, and more. The programme is designed to identify and celebrate young business leaders across the continent who have demonstrated professional achievement, business growth, and community service, open to Africans across the continent and the African diaspora.
Key Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, nominees must meet all of the following requirements:
- Citizenship: Be a citizen of one of Africa's 55 countries.
- Residence: Live in Africa or the African diaspora.
- Age: Be under 40, or turn 40 in the year of the event.
- Role: Be an entrepreneur, shareholder, founder, or co-founder of a company.
- Nomination Type: Be nominated by someone other than themselves. Self-nomination is not permitted under the published eligibility guidelines.
Note: submitting multiple nominations for the same person does not give that nominee an advantage in the selection process.
Award Categories
The 2026 awards feature 40 categories, including Agriculture and Agro-Processing, Architecture, Aviation, Education, Authorship and Creative Writing, Banking and Finance, Beauty and Lifestyle, Environmental and Climate Sustainability, Community Development, Consultancy and Professional Services, Energy, Oil and Gas, Event Management and Planning, Food, Catering and Beverage, Fashion, Family Business, Governance and Government Agencies, Health and Wellness, Human Resources and Development, Hospitality, Insurance, Journalism, Law, Logistics and Supplies, Manufacturing, Media, Music and Entertainment, Mining and Natural Resources, Pensions, Printing, Press and Publishing, Philanthropy and Charity, Real Estate Development and Construction, Science, Technology and Innovation, Safety and Security, Sports, Shipping and Maritime, Theatre and Arts, Transport and Automobile, Social Enterprise, and Telecom, Mobile and Software Development.
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How the Nomination Works
Nominees may be required to provide supporting documents, including recommendation letters and relevant business or company documentation, as part of the assessment process.
2026 Awards 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.
How to Nominate
If you know an African entrepreneur, founder, business leader, or professional who fits one of the award categories, submit a nomination through the official Forty under 40 Africa nomination page before October 31, 2026.
Disclaimer
Edfrica shares opportunities for informational purposes only. Results and outcomes are not guaranteed.
