Deadline: December 15, 2025
The Canva Africa Design Challenge 2025 is now open for applications, offering designers and creatives across Sub-Saharan Africa an exciting chance to showcase their talent while supporting local small businesses. The challenge encourages participants to design practical, culturally relevant, and impactful templates that reflect the realities of African entrepreneurship. With substantial rewards and creative visibility, the Canva Africa Design Challenge 2025 stands out as one of the most promising opportunities for African creators this year.
About the Canva Africa Design Challenge 2025
The Canva Africa Design Challenge 2025 invites designers, content creators, and visual artists to develop unique Canva templates tailored to the needs of African small businesses. The goal is to produce design tools that help local entrepreneurs enhance their branding, communication, and overall business presentation.
Participants are expected to create templates that balance visual appeal with functionality, ensuring that the final designs are easy for small business owners to customise and use in real-life scenarios. Templates should reflect authentic African business culture, storytelling, and identity.
Eligible Template Categories
Applicants can submit designs in any of the following categories:
- WhatsApp Business templates (menus, price lists, promotional flyers)
- Social media posts and reels (static posts, carousel frames, short video layouts)
- Email signatures
- Invoice and quotation templates
- Business cards and digital calling cards
- Product catalogues and order forms
- Pitch deck cover slides
- Logos and brand boards
These categories allow creatives to explore a wide range of branding and business communication needs that support African entrepreneurs.
Eligibility Criteria
The challenge is open to:
- Designers, creators, and artists from Sub-Saharan Africa
- Individuals of any skill level — students, freelancers, professionals, and hobbyists
- Participants with an active Canva account
Multiple entries are allowed, but each submission must feature one design per entry.
Benefits and Awards
Successful applicants stand the chance to receive:
- A share of the USD 10,000 prize pool, awarded to the top five designs
- A one-year Canva Pro subscription
- Personalised mentorship from Canva designers
- Global visibility as winning templates will be featured in Canva’s official template library
These benefits provide both financial support and long-term professional exposure.
Submission Requirements
Participants must ensure the following when preparing their entries:
- Create an original Canva template that reflects African business contexts.
- Submit the design through the official application portal.
- Attach a statement (maximum 150 words) explaining the template’s purpose and intended users.
- Ensure the template is usable, accessible, culturally relevant, and visually professional.
- Submit only one design per entry, with no limit on the number of entries.
All submissions must be original and must not infringe on any copyright or third-party rights.
Timeline and Deadline
- Application window: 31 October – 15 December 2025
- No late submissions will be accepted
- Winners will be notified after the review and judging process is completed
Judging Criteria
Entries will be evaluated based on:
- Creativity and cultural relevance
- Functionality and practical usability
- Visual design quality and appeal
- Local authenticity and storytelling
Judges will prioritise templates that serve real business needs while celebrating African aesthetics and identity.
Why You Should Apply
This challenge offers a rare opportunity to combine creativity with impact. By contributing to the Canva Africa Design Challenge 2025, designers can help small businesses improve their branding and communication, while also gaining international exposure, mentorship, and financial support. It is an invaluable platform for emerging and established African creatives looking to build a strong portfolio and influence the continent’s design landscape.
How to Apply
To begin your application:
Contact us for proposal drafting, refining and review.
