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ABOUT THE COMPETITION

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.


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WHY PARTICIPATE

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Continental Recognition
Join the ranks of Africa’s most promising young scholars and gain visibility across the continent and diaspora.
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Substantial Prizes
USD 20,000 prize, with support toward both books and tuition for continued study.
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Policy Impact
Translate your research into implementable policy briefs and present your findings to Afreximbank leadership.
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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 REQUIREMENTS

  • Submission must be original, unpublished research papers that are not under consideration for publication elsewhere at the time of submission.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.







the competition runs in two stages:

stage 1: submission & jury review

Applicants submit a complete research paper of 3,000–5,000 words through the official portal. Papers are screened for eligibility, formatting, and plagiarism, then anonymized and scored by the jury against a rubric covering originality, methodological rigor, clarity, contribution to development, and relevance to Afreximbank’s operations.

stage 2: POLICY brief & presentation

The authors of the three winning papers are invited to extract an implementable policy brief from their research and to present their findings at a forum designated by the Bank. Winners are formally approved by Afreximbank’s Internal Working Group before public announcement.

competition timeline

Key dates for the 2026 lifecycle








prizes

Recognition at every level.








Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know.

What is the Afreximbank–Edordu Research Competition?
How do I prove I’m eligible?
When does the competition open?
What are the prizes?
Who can enter?
Which CARICOM states are participating?
Are undergraduate students eligible?
I’m an African national studying outside Africa. Can I enter?
I’m not African or Caribbean by nationality, but I’m doing a Master’s or PhD at an African university. Can I enter?
How do I prove I’m eligible?
When does the competition open?
Why is there such a long window between the opening and the deadline?
When should I start working on my submission?
Do I have to submit at the end, or can I submit earlier?
How long should my paper be?
What citation style should I use?
What file formats are accepted?
In what languages can I submit?
Does my paper need to address a specific theme?
Does my paper need to address a specific theme?
Can I submit a paper based on my thesis or dissertation?
How are submissions judged?
Is judging anonymous?
Will my paper be checked for plagiarism?
When will winners be announced?
What are the prizes?
How is the prize money paid?
How will I know if my paper has been selected?
Is my personal information kept confidential?
Who do I contact with questions not answered here?