Cotonou, Benin — In a celebration of African creativity, the Africa International Design Awards (AIDA Awards) officially launched on July 22 in Cotonou, Benin, unveiling a global platform dedicated to honoring excellence in Spatial, Product, Communication, and Fashion Design across the continent.

A joint initiative between 3C Awards Group and Africa Design School, West Africa’s first design school, AIDA Awards is more than just a competition. It’s a movement to elevate Africa’s design narrative by spotlighting innovation deeply rooted in local culture, sustainability, and social transformation.

Heading the jury is renowned Bibi Seck, co-founder of Birsel + Seck, whose leadership is complemented by fellow Senegalese creatives Ousmane Mbaye and Faty Ly, each known for groundbreaking work in furniture and ceramic design.

In spatial and academic design, South African interior architect Juliet Kavishe and Johannesburg-based design educator Des Laubscher bring deep insight, while Côte d’Ivoire’s Issa Diabaté adds his visionary perspective on sustainable African urban development.

The communications and digital design category includes Nigeria’s Seun Olatunji, South Africa’s Tshepo Mas, and an all-star team of creative directors such as Emuron Alemu (The Quollective Africa), Brandt Botes (Dentsu Creative), Clayton Swartz (LePub, Publicis), and Luc-Emmanuel Koutouan Aboussou (Publicis Groupe Africa), offering a panoramic view of Africa’s creative direction.

AIDA’s fashion jury showcases iconic names like Roberta Annan of the African Fashion Foundation, Rhoda Aguonigho of Lhaude Africa, Zimbabwean pioneer Priscilla Chigariro (founder of Zimbabwe Fashion Week), and Germany-based Ugandan visionary Beatrace Oola of Fashion Africa Now.

They are joined by Swiss-based Nigerian professor Charles O’Job, and Egyptian duo Mariam Hazem and Hend Riad of Reform Studio, who bring award-winning innovation in sustainable product and fashion design.

“AIDA Awards was born from a simple idea: to stand alongside Africa’s designers and help their work be seen,” said Astrid Hébert, Director of 3C Awards Group. “Together with the Africa Design School, we built this platform to honor ingenuity already shaping the continent.”

More than an awards event, AIDA is envisioned as a catalyst for youth empowerment, sustainable development, and cross-border collaboration. By recognizing design that responds to Africa’s environmental, social, and economic needs, AIDA hopes to inspire new solutions and global conversations.

The awards launch kicks off African Design Week 2025 (July 22–26), with the call for entries open until March 31, 2026. Designers, professionals, independents, and students, can submit projects via africainternationaldesignawards.com.

Set to attract global media and industry attention, AIDA’s inaugural edition positions Benin as an emerging creative hub, championing Africa’s design leadership on the world stage.