FERDI collaborates on the Africa NextGen Economist Prize 2026

This new award will recognise young researchers who are shaping economic thinking on the continent, developing innovative ideas and, crucially, offering concrete solutions to the crises of today and tomorrow.

The prize will be awarded during the Africa CEO Forum, to be held in Kigali on 14–15 May 2026.

The competition is open to economists from any of the 54 African countries who hold a PhD, are under the age of 40 (as of 31 March 2026), and whose work has substantial relevance to the African context. 

Candidates must submit their applications to africanextgen.economistprize@jeuneafrique.com by 15 February 2026.

Applications must include:

• A detailed CV
• Three publications most representative of the candidate’s work
• A one-page summary outlining the relevance, originality and applicability of their contributions to Africa

Candidates will be shortlisted following an independent review conducted by the Foundation for Studies and Research on International Development (FERDI), in collaboration with the editorial teams of Jeune Afrique and The Africa Report.

The shortlisted candidates will then be submitted to a jury vote.

Jury members:

• Alban Ahouré, Professor at Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Senior Fellow at FERDI
• Grieve Chelwa, Director at The Africa Institute
• Karim El Aynaoui, Executive President of the Policy Center for the New South
• Mahmoud Mohieldin, Egyptian economist and UN Special Envoy on Financing the 2030 Agenda
• Daouda Sembene, Director of Africatalyst
• Anthony Simpasa, Director, Macroeconomic Policy, Forecasting and Research Department, African Development Bank
• Vera Songwe, Chair of the Liquidity and Sustainability Facility

The winner will receive a €10,000 grant, an online training course offered by FERDI, and interviews in both Jeune Afrique and The Africa Report.