Cotonou, Benin – The Africa International Design Awards (AIDA) proudly unveils the full and final jury panel for its 2026 edition of 38 distinguished members representing 18 nationalities – an extraordinary gathering of leading designers, cultural thinkers, architects, creatives and educators from across Africa and the diaspora.
The AIDA Awards Jury for 2026 brings together a formidable collective of creative minds whose experience across design, architecture, fashion, art, and cultural advocacy is truly unmatched. Led by Bibi Seck (Birsel + Seck) as Head of Jury, the panel includes voices such as Coline-Lee Toumson (Cultural & Artistic Affairs Advisor, Republic of Benin), Jomo Tariku (Designer, Jomo Furniture, LLC), Lani Adeoye (Founder & Designer, Studio Lani), Francis Nicaise Tchiakpe – Tchif (Visual Artist), Naeem Biviji & Bethan Rayner (Designers & Makers, Studio Propolis Ltd), Titi Ogufere (CEO, Africa Design Network), Renée Rossouw (Founder, Renée Rossouw Studio), Saki Mafundikwa (Founder & Director, Zimbabwe Institute of Vigital Arts – ZIVA), Margot Molyneux (Founder, South Africa Design PTY Ltd), Clayton Swartz (Creative Director, LePub Johannesburg), Selly Raby Kane (Founder & Artistic Lead, SRK), Issa Diabaté (Managing Director, Koffi & Diabaté Group), Beatrace Oola (Founder, Fashion Africa Now / CEO, APYA Productions), Ousmane Mbaye (Founder, Ousmane Mbaye Design), Noukpo Houndeffo (Co-Founder & Principal, Atelier Houndeffo – AHAAM), Brandt Botes (Head of Design, Dentsu Creative SA) and Ramata Diallo (Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Africa Fashion Tour).
The jury panel also includes the names like Martin Döller (Founder & Creative Director, One to One by Martin Döller), Roberta Annan (Founder, African Fashion Foundation), Kefil Saka (Executive Director, Africa Design School), Priscilla Chigariro (Founder, Zimbabwe Fashion Week Trust), Luc-Emmanuel Koutouan Aboussou (Group Creative Director, Publicis Groupe Africa), Isaro Lise Katangulia (Founder, Ilia Studio & African Female Architects network), Voninkazo Randrianarisolo (Founder & CEO, EZAAKA), Emuron Alemu (Chief Creative Officer, The Quollective Africa), Mugendi K. M’Rithaa (Industrial-Design Educator, Machakos University), Faty Ly (Ceramic Designer & Artist, FATYLABS), Seun Olatunji (Founder & Design Strategist, OLAT Design Consultancy), Tshepo Mas (Art Director, TshepoMas Pty Ltd), Rhoda Aguonigho (Executive Director, Lhaude Africa), Charles O. Job (Designer & Architect, Charles Job Design & Architecture), Mitiku Woldesenbet Gebremichale (Senior Architect & Urban Designer/Planner, UN-Habitat), Garreth van Niekerk and Alan Hayward ( Executive Creative Directors, Decorex Africa and 100% Design Africa ), Mariam Hazem & Hend Riad (Co-Founders & Chief Designers, Reform Studio), Des Laubscher (Co-Founder & CEO, Greenside Design Center, College of Design), Juliet Kavishe (Executive Board Member, Pan Afrikan Design Institute – PADI), Alain Soreil (Principal, L’École Duperré Paris), and Cédrix Tsambang (Founder & CEO, Chorus Architecture).
The jury’s multidisciplinary composition reflects AIDA Awards’ ambition to assess submissions not only on aesthetic and technical merit but also on cultural resonance, sustainability, social impact, and innovation. Submissions will be reviewed across the four main award categories: Spatial Design, Product Design, Fashion Design and Communication Design.
“Design is not only a form, but it’s also identity, history, hope and purpose,” says Astrid Hébert, Founder of the AIDA Awards. “With this extraordinary jury, we are giving voice to creators whose work stitches heritage with vision, craftsmanship with innovation, and community with global perspective.”
The AIDA Awards are made possible through a growing ecosystem of exceptional partners and supporters who share a commitment to elevating African design on the global stage. At the heart of the initiative stands the Africa Design School (ADS), alongside proud sponsor L’École de Design Nantes Atlantique. We are honored to collaborate with key industry players including Pan Afrikan Design Institute (PADI), African Fashion Foundation, Africa Fashion Tour, Africa Female Architects, Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW), Design Week South Africa, and Design Week Lagos, all contributing to the program’s reach and cultural impact across the continent and beyond.
AIDA Awards invites creative professionals, studios, emerging talents, and students worldwide whose work engages with Africa’s cultures, communities, or contexts to submit their projects. Entries are open until 31 March 2026. For submission guidelines and more information, visit the official website at africainternationaldesignawards.com.
