The First Edition

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The First Edition

We acknowledge the existing means of recognizing and valuing the most deserving individuals within countries and across the continent. National awards and recognitions for meritorious individuals exist. However, we aim to promote a rational process of identification and recognition in a different category across all countries, highlighting individuals with a high impact on continental development. This concept is unique to Africa, referred to as the "High Impact Personality of Africa."

In all countries and relevant fields, challenges are both national and continental. The guiding principle is always: "progress and help progress." We have identified fifteen priority areas to enhance ongoing development dynamics in African countries.

Focusing specifically on individuals stems from a belief in the power of leadership as an instrument for creating vocations, mobilization, and motivation to boost progress within countries, providing the continent a better image and a prominent position on the global stage.

Individuals are at the forefront of all initiatives and decisions, and they must be imbued with the desire to contribute to the development of their country concurrently with Africa, impacting at least one other African country. Such individuals become catalysts for implementing policies of the African Union institutions. However, we emphasize the impact, as we consider not only immediate results but also medium- and long-term changes. This commitment is why we identify individuals and entities with significant impacts not only in their home countries but also in other African nations, whether contiguous or not.

This initiative has amplified demand, contributing to the reversal of the decision-making vector.

Undoubtedly, numbers play a crucial role in change. While this reflects a democratic reality, it remains a law regarding the demand and expectations of the population.

To incentivize and with faith in learning by example, we have initiated award ceremonies, with a festive character, to honor personalities across all African countries. Fifteen areas are concerned, with challenges being both national and continental. The principle is always: "Progress and help progress." However, it should be noted that the boundaries between different fields are not always clear. Connections and interconnections exist and will continue to exist, demonstrating that development is both global and plural. It is not uncommon for fields to intertwine and overlap across various activities. Furthermore, some actors engage in cross-disciplinary activities. Nonetheless, establishing boundaries of belonging and exclusion becomes necessary for better understanding the phenomena they face and their management. In our approach, we adhere to fields as defined and limited by current administrations. The order in the list is not based on priority criteria. Our focus is on the following areas, with laureates being honored with a prestigious trophy :

  1. Education
  2. Health
  3. Entrepreneurship
  4. Culture
  5. Computer and Technology
  6. Sport
  7. Press and social networks
  8. Social and humanitarian action
  9. Banking and insurance
  10. Agriculture
  11. Research and innovation
  12. Industrial processing of local products
  13. Transport
  14. Trade
  15. Real estate and urbanization

The choice of these categories is not fixed; it can be modified in form and content depending on the evolution of developmental challenges and issues.

This distinction serves as a strong symbol, conveying a message to the entire nation and beyond—calling for self-improvement and surpassing others to bring the country closer to achieving the vision of a strong, united Africa, and simultaneously leading the continent toward an admirable and respectable standing in the community of nations.

The Purpose

The purpose of these ceremonies is to recognize social models that can serve as references to catalyze continental development dynamics.

The Objectives

  1. Select over the previous 12 months the individual or organization that has surpassed its peers through achievements (creativity, production, activities) with a significant impact on development in one of the competition’s categories at the national level and in at least one other country on the continent.

  2. Annually, give a festive and eventful character to an awards ceremony to leverage leadership to motivate laureates and establish them as social models, while creating healthy competition in the concerned domains and uniting energies beneficial to the country and continent.

  3. Annually, compile a digital and printed "golden book" listing all decorated individuals or organizations on the continent and widely distribute it in educational and professional orientation forums.

  4. Provide active media coverage to the laureates as professional models for 12 months following their recognition

  5. Create professional exchange platforms allowing youth to interact with successful role models for 12 months following their recognition.

  6. Over the 12 months following their recognition, produce biographical works on the laureates’ journeys.

The Stakes

The stakes are significant at both national and continental levels. Here are the most globalizing and relevant aspects :

  • The actions taken promote development and impact all fields, even those not initially prioritized. Celebrating the best serves as powerful stimulation by example and generates a vocation that is sure to optimize skills and production levels.

  • The creation of new icons and social models that could kindle the flame of excellence for a youth that is often troubled and lacking direction, during a time when Africa is called to play a more significant role in the community of nations. This involves prioritizing leadership and models that impact community life over purely individual successes that do not significantly contribute to national development.

  • Moving away from imposed models heavily and sometimes unhealthily mediated, such as wealth acquired through illegal means like cybercrime and drug trade, to showcase examples of local success stories.

  • A clear strategy against the brain drain that bleeds Africa of its most valuable assets to countries or companies that will, sooner or later, compete with African enterprises or interests. The magnitude of these losses is even more significant given that these resources are already limited, often insufficient, and difficult to cultivate.

  • Establishing a barrier against illegal emigration by highlighting local success models. This counters persistent rumors that America and Europe are the only lands of opportunity, leading young people to take suicidal risks with precarious boats, which bring grief to families and dishonor the continent.

  • Instilling a culture of competition among workers in the same field, at any level, for the nation’s benefit, enhancing the sense of responsibility and making every actor a lever for development.

  • Creating a new standard focused on social impact in line with development, aimed at reorienting potential towards progress. This approach seeks to prioritize the socio-economic contributions of actions over pure entertainment or superfluity, urging every citizen to reflect on the utility of their actions, their influence on living conditions, and especially their contribution to their country's and continent's development.

  • Emphasizing responsibility at all levels, which is crucial since many talents are not oriented towards communal, national, or continental progress. This will address misguided orientations and predispositions that jeopardize the country's future. Such talent and energy dispersion into activities with little developmental benefit will be rectified through this straightforward and accessible educational initiative.

  • Nationally, this approach serves as a powerful tool for strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation, with all imaginable advantages in investment, achievements, socio-economic exchanges, and revitalization of commercial and cultural flows, improving the image and visibility of states while bringing populations closer together. It contributes to pooling competences, valorizing local human resources by opening promotion pathways in other countries of the continent.