Nominations Open for the Global African Awards & Forum 2026 in London
London, United Kingdom — The Global African Awards & Forum (GAA) is proud to announce that nominations for the 2026 edition are officially open. The event will take place in London from 24–26 June 2026, bringing together African and diaspora leaders, innovators, cultural icons, business pioneers, and change-makers to celebrate excellence and drive tangible impact across the continent.
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Founded in 2017 by Conrad Mwanza and Josefina Bonsundy-O’Bryan, the Global African Awards have recognised Africans and friends of Africa shaping the world, including high-profile figures such as Dr Ismail Ahmed (Founder of WorldRemit), H.E. Wamkele Mene (Secretary-General of the AfCFTA), Carolyn Steyn (Founder of 67 Blankets for Mandela Day), Smade (Founder of Afro Nation Festival), Noëlla Musunka (Founder of Malaika Foundation), and Theo Baloyi (Founder of Bathu Shoes).
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Driving Africa’s Development Through the 55th State
The 2026 GAA and its accompanying Global Diaspora Forum (GDF) will focus on mobilising the African diaspora as Africa’s 55th State—an influential community of over 20 million people worldwide, contributing more than USD 100 billion in annual remittances. This edition will transform recognition into action, creating structured pathways for diaspora investors, entrepreneurs, and innovators to engage directly in Africa’s economic growth.
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Through curated sessions, high-level dialogues, and tailored investment opportunities, the platform will drive impactful trade, investment, and partnerships, enabling the diaspora to move from sending remittances to strategically deploying capital into African businesses, projects, and institutions. By championing the principle that Africa must fund Africa, the GAA and GDF will strengthen economic self-reliance, unlock opportunities across key sectors—including infrastructure, agriculture, technology, creative industries, and financial services—and inspire a new generation of leaders to shape Africa’s future.
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Programme Highlights
The 2026 programme is designed to ensure actionable outcomes and meaningful engagement:
• Wednesday, 24 June 2026: Welcome Reception at the House of Lords
• Thursday, 25 June 2026: Global Diaspora Forum (GDF) – curated sessions on diaspora investment, entrepreneurship, and Africa’s economic transformation
• Friday, 26 June 2026: Global African Awards Gala Dinner – recognising outstanding achievements in business, community, sports, journalism, lifestyle, and entertainment
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Award categories
Award categories include Male & Female Entrepreneur of the Year, Business of the Year, Community Development, Outstanding Achievement in Academia, Excellence in Journalism, Media House of the Year, Female and Male Artist of the Year, Event of the Year, Music Producer of the Year, and Outstanding Contribution to Entertainment, among others.
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Commenting on the launch, Conrad Mwanza, Founder of the Global African Awards, said:
“The 2026 Global African Awards and Forum are designed to turn recognition into action. This year, we will mobilise the diaspora as Africa’s 55th State, creating opportunities for real investment, trade, and meaningful engagement. Africa must fund Africa, and through this platform, we aim to ensure that diaspora resources translate into sustainable development, innovation, and long-term impact.”
Nominations are now open to the public and can be submitted online at:
Media Contact: Norman Busigu | Email: norman@globalafrican.org
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