Afreximbank-Edordu Research Competition (up to USD 20,000 prize)

 Deadline: 30Th September, 2026

The Afreximbank-Edordu Research Competition invites postgraduate students across Africa and participating Caribbean states to produce rigorous, original research on the issues defining the continent’s economic trajectory: trade, finance, integration, and sustainable development.

The competition honors the intellectual legacy of Mr. Christopher Edordu, Pioneer President of Afreximbank, whose vision shaped the institution’s commitment to African economic sovereignty. Winning research does not sit on a shelf — the top three papers are distilled into actionable policy briefs, presented to Afreximbank leadership, and showcased at the Bank’s major events.

Benefits

Continental Recognition – Join the ranks of Africa’s most promising young scholars and gain visibility across the continent and diaspora.

Substantial Prizes – USD 20,000 prize, with support toward both books and tuition for continued study.

Policy Impact – Translate your research into implementable policy briefs and present your findings to Afreximbank leadership.

A Public Platform – Present your work at an Afreximbank event and amplify your contribution to Africa’s trade discourse.

Eligibility

The Afreximbank-Edordu Research Competition is open to postgraduate students (Master’s or PhD) who are currently enrolled at an accredited tertiary institution on the African continent or in an eligible CARICOM state, and who hold nationality of an African country or an eligible CARICOM state.

Eligible CARICOM states are: 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 Requirments

• Submission must be original, unpublished research papers that are not under consideration for publication elsewhere at the time of submission.
• Papers must address one of the themes announced by the competition for the relevant cycle.
• Submissions may be written in any African Union official language: Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish or Kiswahili and will be translated into English for jury evaluation.
• Papers must be between 3,000 and 5,000 words, excluding references, tables and figures.
• Papers must follow a recognised academic citation style (APA, Chicago, or Harvard) and be submitted as a PDF or Word document through the official competition portal.

For more information and application