The Æfrotopia Awards
The International Black Economic Forum (IBEF) Æfrotopia Awards recognize the work of individuals and organizations that refuse to accept the status quo and have committed themselves to accelerating wealth creation in order to transform communities.
Their contributions have a significant impact on the life of those communities. It is worth noting that these awards were called for by participants of the forum’s second edition.
The categories
Six awards, six ways of advancing the economic development of Black communities.
01 — Political Leadership
This award recognizes the work of an elected official or public servant who has contributed to the economic development of Black communities.
Candidates in this category must show:
- Political leadership well beyond what their office requires
- A response to a socio-economic need, issue or challenge facing Black communities
- A strategic approach (initiative, public policy, etc.) that goes beyond current practice
- Large-scale impact on Black communities
- The mobilization of the political sphere and of Black communities
02 — Æfrotopia
The Æfrotopia award recognizes a person who is laying the groundwork for the economic future of Black communities by creating opportunities.
Candidates in this category must demonstrate:
- An ambitious vision that strengthens the prosperity of Black communities, whether urban, rural or diasporic
- An approach grounded in mitigating economic vulnerabilities
- An approach that embodies ethical values
- Innovation in how problems are solved, in part or in whole, within the initiative presented
- Large-scale impact on Black communities
03 — Entrepreneurial Builder
This award recognizes a person who helps foster the entrepreneurial spirit of Black communities.
Candidates in this category must demonstrate:
- A vision and an ambitious approach that fosters the entrepreneurial spirit of Black communities
- Innovation in how problems are solved, in part or in whole, within the initiative presented
- Ensuring a significant presence of members of Black communities in political spheres, and supporting those already in office
- Multiplying opportunities to build strategic alliances with the private sector in order to increase Black presence in decision-making spaces
04 — Sankoré
This award recognizes a person who has distinguished themselves in promoting science and technology within communities, and who also champions the endogenous knowledge of Black communities.
Candidates in this category must demonstrate:
- Scientific innovation (idea, initiative, project, organization) responding to a pressing community need, challenge or issue
- An entrepreneurial approach that embodies ethical values
- The valuing of endogenous scientific knowledge within Black communities
- How the initiative integrates sustainable development principles
- Large-scale impact on Black communities
05 — Foundations
This award goes to organizations that have made a phenomenal contribution to the economic well-being of Black communities.
Candidates in this category must demonstrate:
- That the organization’s mission responds to a socio-economic need, issue or challenge facing Black communities, and that those communities are its target audience
- That an intersectional approach is taken into account (gender, various minorities, etc.)
- That the initiative has the potential for — or has already given rise to — several projects aimed at improving the economic well-being of Black communities
- How the initiative integrates sustainable development principles
- An approach that embodies ethical values
06 — Lifetime Achievement
This award recognizes the work of a person whose entire career has been dedicated to the economic progress of Black communities.
Candidates in this category must demonstrate:
- An exceptional lifelong contribution to the economic advancement of Black communities
- The sharing of lessons learned with the next generation of Black leaders
- An exceptional capacity to mobilize and collaborate with community stakeholders and organizations
- Large-scale impact on Black communities
General criteria
Every nomination, whatever the category, is assessed against the following six criteria.
Innovation and originality of the initiative (project)
Innovative approaches to the institutional, financial, technological, technical or legal aspects of the economic and social development of Black communities.
Sustainability
Lasting impact on Black communities.
Transferability
The reach of the initiative’s (or project’s) economic and social impact on Black communities.
Interaction with and roots in Black communities
Building strong relationships, along with the participation, involvement and support of Black communities.
Meeting the intended objectives with measurable results
Jobs created or retained; financial investment made in the community; a problem solved in relation to the socio-economic development of Black communities.
Long-term vision
To improve the socio-economic conditions of Black communities.
The essentials
- Ceremony
- Prestige luncheon on October 18, 2026 at the Four Seasons Hotel Montreal, by invitation only.
- Deadline
- September 8, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time).
- Who can submit
- You may nominate a person or an organization, or submit your own candidacy.
- Jury
- The 2026 jury will be announced shortly.
Nominate someone, or apply yourself
Nominations are submitted online, until September 8, 2026.