Thamani Africa Awards open nominations for continental second edition

The Thamani Africa Awards have officially opened nominations for their second edition, expanding their reach across the continent to celebrate outstanding women making an impact in diverse fields.

The awards recognise excellence in leadership, community service, humanitarian work, governance, sports, arts, media, fashion, education, and other sectors.

They invite submissions from individuals as well as third-party nominators who wish to spotlight women driving change in their communities.

The awards have adopted a continental outlook, introducing categories that recognize achievements across East and Central Africa, West Africa, Southern Africa, and North Africa.

Organisers say the move is aimed at amplifying African women’s voices and contributions on a broader stage.

“This edition reflects our commitment to positioning African women at the centre of progress across the continent,” the organisers said in a statement.

The 2026 edition will feature 29 competitive categories alongside 8 honorary awards dedicated to celebrating legendary women from each region.

These include two legends, each from East and Central Africa, West Africa, North Africa, and Southern Africa, recognizing lifetime achievements and lasting influence.

Following a month-long vetting process by a 15-member secretariat, more than 5,000 submissions were reviewed, culminating in the selection of 198 nominees across 20 categories.

Of these, 15 are pan-African categories, while five are specific to Kenya.

Voting officially opened on Tuesday and will run until April 12 at midnight.

The secretariat will then audit the results before confirming winners ahead of the awards ceremony.

The gala dinner is scheduled to take place on May 10, coinciding with Mother’s Day, at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa in Nairobi.

Winners will be honoured for their contributions to shaping industries, influencing policy, and uplifting communities.

In addition to the competitive awards, five honorary recognitions will be presented to African women whose lifetime achievements have transformed societies and built enduring national legacies.

Organisers emphasised that the awards are not only about recognition but also about reinforcing the role of women as key drivers of Africa’s growth.

“We are setting a continental stage to say plainly: women’s leadership is Africa’s advantage,” the statement read.

Nominations remain open to women who have demonstrated exceptional impact and commitment in their respective fields.

Interested participants and nominators can reach out to the Thamani Africa Awards for further details on the nomination process.