Afreximbank-Edordu Research Competition 2026

Overview

The Afreximbank-Edordu Research Competition invites postgraduate students enrolled at accredited institutions in Africa or eligible CARICOM states to submit original research papers on African trade, finance, economic integration, and sustainable development. The competition awards a total of $45,000 in prizes, with the top paper receiving $20,000. Submissions may be in any African Union official language. Deadline: 30 September 2026.

The competition is named in honour of a founding figure of African trade finance and is designed to give the next generation of African economists and finance scholars a platform at Afreximbank’s flagship events.

Benefits

• 1st place: $20,000
• 2nd and 3rd place prizes making up the remaining $45,000 pool.
• Winning papers are distilled into policy briefs presented to Afreximbank leadership.
• Finalists are showcased at the CANEX WKND and other Afreximbank major events.
• Visibility within the African trade finance and development community.

Eligibility

• Currently enrolled as a Master’s or PhD student at an accredited tertiary institution in Africa or in an eligible CARICOM state (Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname).
• Must be a national of an African country or an eligible CARICOM state.
• Submission must be an original, unpublished paper (3,000-5,000 words) not under consideration elsewhere.
• Research topic must address African trade, finance, integration, or sustainable development.
• Papers may be written in Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, or Kiswahili.

How to Apply

1. Read the full competition guidelines on the CANEX portal at the source link.
2. Write an original research paper of 3,000-5,000 words.
3. Submit through the official competition portal before 30 September 2026.
4. Shortlisted papers are reviewed by a jury of Afreximbank economists and translated into English for final evaluation.
5. Winners are announced and invited to Afreximbank events in 2027.