Deadline: March 1, 2026
The Open the Knowledge Journalism Awards 2026 for African Journalists is a prestigious initiative recognising excellence in journalism across the African continent. Organised by the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) in partnership with the Wikimedia Foundation, the awards honour journalists whose work contributes to expanding open, accurate, and inclusive knowledge, particularly content that supports Wikimedia projects such as Wikipedia.
This award programme aims to celebrate African journalists producing outstanding, impactful stories that promote accessible information and foster public understanding through credible reporting.
About the Open the Knowledge Journalism Awards 2026
The Open the Knowledge Journalism Awards 2026 seeks to highlight journalistic work that enriches the open knowledge ecosystem, broadens public access to reliable information, and amplifies diverse African voices. It particularly values stories that can be referenced as source material in Wikimedia projects, reflecting the importance of verified and publicly available information.
Through this initiative, ICFJ and the Wikimedia Foundation aim to inspire journalists to embrace open knowledge principles, thereby strengthening the continent’s contribution to the global information landscape.
Award Categories
Entries for the Open the Knowledge Journalism Awards 2026 will be accepted under two main categories:
- Women and/or Youth
- Arts, Culture, Heritage and Sports
These categories are designed to recognise outstanding storytelling that sheds light on key societal themes and promotes underrepresented narratives within Africa.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Open the Knowledge Journalism Awards 2026, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be citizens of an African country and reside primarily within Africa.
- Submit journalistic work that was published in 2025.
- The article or report must focus on issues concerning the African continent and align with one of the award categories.
- Submissions must be in English or French (entries in French must include an English translation).
- Work must be published by a credible media outlet and publicly accessible. Articles behind paywalls are acceptable only if they are also freely available elsewhere.
Evaluation Criteria
Submissions will be judged based on the following qualities:
- Accuracy and depth of reporting
- Ethical journalistic standards
- Original research and analysis
- Contribution to the open knowledge ecosystem, particularly in ways that enhance Wikimedia projects such as Wikipedia.
The judging panel will consider how each piece of journalism improves access to reliable, verifiable information and amplifies the representation of African knowledge globally.
Prizes and Recognition
Winners of the Open the Knowledge Journalism Awards 2026 will receive the following rewards:
- 🥇 First Place: USD 2,000, a certificate of recognition, and an invitation to attend a Wikimedia community conference.
- 🥈 Second Place: USD 1,000 and a certificate of recognition.
- 🏅 Special Mentions: Additional honours may be awarded at the discretion of the organisers.
These awards not only provide financial support but also offer visibility and professional growth opportunities within the international journalism community.
Important Dates
- Submissions Open: 2 February 2026 (15:00 UTC)
- Submission Deadline: 1 March 2026 (23:59 UTC)
- Award Announcement: 16 June 2026
Applicants are encouraged to submit early to avoid last-minute challenges or technical delays.
How to Apply
Interested journalists can submit their entries through the official application portal. All entries must include the original article or broadcast link and clearly state the publication date and outlet.
👉 Read more about the Programme
Conclusion
The Open the Knowledge Journalism Awards 2026 for African Journalists stands as a remarkable opportunity to celebrate and support African journalists committed to factual, inclusive, and transparent reporting. Beyond the financial prize, it champions a vision of open access to knowledge that strengthens Africa’s voice in the global media landscape.
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