Celebrating Africa's​ Unsung Heroes

Behind every statistic is a human being working tirelessly to make Africa better. The Humanitarians of Africa Awards (HOA Awards) exist to find those people, celebrate them, and make sure the world knows their names.

The HOA Awards are an offshoot of the Humanitarians of Africa project by Hexa Media, a movement dedicated to amplifying the voices and work of Africa’s most impactful nonprofit founders and social change leaders.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Work must be aligned with one or more UN Sustainable Development Goals
  • Must be based in Africa or conducting humanitarian work for African communities
  • Must demonstrate consistent, impact-driven projects
  • Must be able to show verifiable work spanning at least one year

2026 Award Categories

Nine categories celebrating excellence across the full spectrum of African humanitarian impact.

Humanitarian of Africa

Recognises individuals who have made significant contributions to improving the lives of Africans through sustained humanitarian service.

Exceptional Humanitarian Storyteller

Recognises individuals who use storytelling, media, or the arts to amplify humanitarian narratives and inspire action across Africa and beyond.

Most Exceptional Leader

Recognises individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in driving systemic positive change and mobilising others toward a shared vision.

African Heart (Diaspora Champion)

Recognises individuals based outside Africa who have shown a steadfast commitment to supporting African communities through philanthropy, advocacy, or sustained engagement.

SDG Champion of the Year

Recognises individuals who have made verifiable contributions toward advancing one or more United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

African Changemaker of the Year

Recognises individuals who have created lasting transformation in their communities through innovative and sustainable approaches.

Exceptional Volunteer of the Year

Recognises individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary dedication to a cause through voluntary service, producing tangible impact in the lives of others.

Social Entrepreneur of the Year

Recognises individuals who have founded or co-founded a social enterprise generating measurable positive impact on society.

Social Enterprise of the Year

Recognises an organisation that has demonstrated exceptional effectiveness and sustainability in addressing a critical social challenge.

AI Innovator of the Year

Recognises individuals harnessing artificial intelligence to develop solutions that advance access, efficiency, and opportunity across Africa.

AI for Good Pioneer

Recognises individuals leading the purposeful application of AI toward humanitarian needs, equity, and measurable benefit for underserved communities.

Emerging Voice of the Year

Recognises a rising individual who has demonstrated exceptional promise and impact early in their journey, signalling transformative potential for Africa's future.

Award Timeline

Nominations Open

June 2026

Nominations Close

August 2026

Nominees Announced

September 2026

Judging Period

August 2026

Winners Announced

20th Nov 2026

How Winners Are Selected

Our judging panel is made up of leading experts across the nonprofit sector. Category winners are evaluated on:

Structure

How organized and sustainable is the work?

Originality

Is the approach innovative and context-specific?

Consistency

Is there a proven track record of sustained effort?

Impact

What measurable difference has the work made?

Become a Partner

The Humanitarians of Africa Awards offer your brand a rare opportunity: sustained, meaningful exposure to Africa’s most passionate nonprofit community. Partner with us and align your brand with the change Africa deserves.

What We Offer Partners

  • Newsletter, website, and social media visibility throughout the campaign
  • Brand alignment with high-value press coverage in a fast-growing sector
  • Community engagement across submissions, events, and digital channels
  • Post-summit and post-awards publicity for up to 9 months

Category Sponsorship Includes

  • Logo displayed on-screen during the award ceremony
  • Brand mention in all press releases throughout the campaign
  • Logo on the awards entry site and official SIMS website
  • Involvement in all communications to category entrants
  • Opportunity to share your offer or message via our newsletter

Event Partnership Includes

  • All Category Sponsorship benefits, PLUS:

  • ‘HOA Awards 2026 — Powered by [Your Brand]’ naming rights
  • Logo engraved on all winner badges
  • Brand visible throughout the award presentation ceremony
  • Visibility across all social media — widely shared by winners, nominees, and community members

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