The African Export-Import Bank has opened applications for the 2026 Afreximbank–Edordu Research Competition, inviting postgraduate students to submit policy-focused research on Africa’s economic development.
The competition targets Master’s and PhD students across Africa and eligible Caribbean states, with a focus on critical themes such as trade, finance, regional integration, and sustainable development.
It is named after Mr. Christopher Edordu, the pioneer president of Afreximbank, whose leadership laid the foundation for the Bank’s push towards African economic sovereignty. According to the organisers, selected research will not remain theoretical, as the top three papers will be transformed into policy briefs and presented to senior decision-makers within the institution.
About the Competition
The initiative is positioned as a platform to bridge academic research and real-world policy, encouraging young scholars to contribute directly to Africa’s development discourse.
Afreximbank noted that winning entries will be showcased at major Bank events, giving participants visibility among policymakers and industry stakeholders.
Why Participate
Participants in the programme stand to benefit from:
- Continental recognition among emerging African scholars
- A prize pool of up to $20,000, including funding support for books and tuition
- Opportunity to convert research into implementable policy briefs
- A platform to present findings at Afreximbank events
The Bank emphasised that the competition is designed to amplify young voices shaping Africa’s economic future.
Eligibility
The competition is open to:
- Postgraduate students (Master’s or PhD)
- Individuals enrolled in accredited institutions within Africa or eligible Caribbean states
- Nationals of African countries or approved CARICOM states
Eligible CARICOM countries include Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Suriname.
Submission Requirements
Applicants are required to submit original and unpublished research papers aligned with the competition’s themes.
Key guidelines include:
- Papers must not be under consideration elsewhere
- Submissions must address designated thematic areas
- Word count between 3,000 and 5,000 words (excluding references and tables)
- Accepted citation styles include APA, Chicago, or Harvard
- Entries must be submitted in PDF or Word format via the official portal
Submissions can be written in any African Union official language, including Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, or Kiswahili. All entries will be translated into English for evaluation.
Competition Structure
The competition will run in two stages:
- Stage One: Submission and Jury Review
Research papers will be screened for eligibility, formatting, and plagiarism, then anonymised and evaluated based on originality, methodological rigour, clarity, and relevance to development and Afreximbank’s operations. - Stage Two: Policy Brief and Presentation
The top three finalists will develop policy briefs from their research and present them at a designated Afreximbank forum. Final winners will be approved by the Bank’s Internal Working Group.
Prizes and Recognition
Beyond financial rewards, winners will gain exposure to high-level stakeholders and contribute directly to policy conversations shaping Africa’s economic direction.
Additional Information
The 2026 cycle follows a structured timeline covering submission, review, and announcement phases, while frequently asked questions address eligibility, submission process, and judging criteria.
The competition is part of Afreximbank’s broader initiatives under its Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) platform, which includes flagship programmes such as CANEX WKND.
Interested applicants can access full details and submit entries through the official competition portal: https://wknd.canex.africa/newfront/afreximbank-edordu-competition.
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