Academics Stand Against Poverty (ASAP), ASAP East and Southern Africa (ASAP-ESA), in collaboration with the University of Zambia’s Graduate School of Business and the University of Lusaka (UNILUS), proudly announces the inaugural Nelson Mandela Essay Prize Competition for 2026.
This competition invites young African scholars to address pressing continental issues and propose innovative solutions for global governance. With South Africa set to chair the G20 and the African Union joining as a permanent member, this initiative provides a timely platform for African voices to shape global discussions.
This competition offers a unique opportunity for young African thinkers to contribute to global efforts on poverty alleviation, sustainable development, and economic progress. We encourage all eligible scholars to participate and share their innovative ideas for addressing Africa’s most pressing challenges in the global context.
Benefits
- Cash prizes the USD 5,000 pool
- One-year ASAP fellowship with mentoring, internship, and networking opportunities (Optional)
- Presentation of winning essays at the next Yale Global Justice Program conference
Requirements
- Open to citizens of African countries
- Joint submissions by two eligible authors are accepted
Method of Application
Essay Themes
Essays may focus on one or more of the following priority areas, presenting specific, actionable proposals:
Climate change resilience : e.g., Developing policy frameworks to ensure equitable access to climate adaptation technologies for vulnerable African communities.
Economic empowerment : e.g., Designing microfinance models that address regulatory capture and promote democratic economic participation in rural areas.
Healthcare systems : e.g., Proposing reforms to intellectual property laws to improve access to essential medicines in underserved African regions.
Education : e.g., Creating programs to educate youth on global governance structures and encourage civic engagement in international policy-making.
Digital transformation : e.g., Analyzing the impact of trade agreements on digital inclusion and proposing more balanced policies for technology transfer to African nations.
Gender equality : e.g., Researching the effects of austerity measures on women’s economic participation and advocating for gender-responsive economic policies.
Peace and security : e.g., Developing strategies to address forced migration and statelessness as drivers of conflict in African regions.
Submit essays to mandelaprize@academicsstand.org
Include university or organization affiliation and essay title in the email
Ensure the essay is anonymized for blind review
For More Information,
Visit the official Webpage
Application Deadline: June 14, 2026.
