RFAS: Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling

The award honors up-and-coming journalists in Africa who strive to strengthen people’s voices and illuminate the transformational change taking place on the continent. The award entries must represent groundbreaking journalistic work.

The award honors up-and-coming journalists in Africa who strive to strengthen people’s voices and illuminate the transformational change taking place on the continent. The award entries must represent groundbreaking journalistic work published between December 1, 2023, and December 1, 2024.

Funding Information

• The winners will receive a $5,000 cash prize and a personalized award certificate. The winners will have an extraordinary opportunity to participate in a two-week professional development program at The Economist headquarters in London, UK.

Eligibility Criteria

• The contest is open to English-speaking journalists working in Africa for print, broadcast, and online news media. Applicants must have no more than 10 years of journalism experience.
• Applicants must submit one published piece that exemplifies Africa through thoughtful reporting and excellent storytelling. They are looking for impactful investigative or explanatory pieces, especially those illuminating transformational change in Africa.
• A copy of the published story or broadcast clip must be submitted in English. Works in other languages must include English translations. They welcome submissions from print, broadcast, or digital journalists. Multimedia submissions may include web, audio, video, visual, or mixed media.
• Winners will be selected on the quality of their articles and the impact their work has had on communities.

For more information, visit ICFJ.