The Canva Africa Design Challenge is now open, inviting young creatives across Sub-Saharan Africa to design original, practical and culturally grounded Canva templates.
The initiative aims to support the everyday needs of African entrepreneurs by providing access to well-designed digital tools that reflect local realities and strengthen small businesses.
Aim of the challenge
The challenge responds to the rising demand for design solutions tailored to the African business landscape.
Participants are encouraged to create templates that entrepreneurs can use directly, including WhatsApp price lists, business cards, menus, invoices, catalogues, pitch deck covers, social media posts and brand boards.
All submissions must be easy to edit, mobile-friendly and visually aligned with local culture, aesthetics, and business practices.
Funding details
The top five templates will share a $10,000 prize pool, receive a one-year Canva Pro subscription and gain access to mentorship from Canva designers.
Winning designs will also be added to Canva’s global template library, giving creators long-term visibility and career exposure.
Who can apply
The challenge is open to a broad range of digital creatives, including designers, freelancers, students and content creators with an active Canva account.
Multiple entries are allowed, but each submission must feature only one template.
Qualifications
-
Active Canva account
-
Open to designers, students, freelancers, and content creators across Sub-Saharan Africa
-
One template per submission; multiple submissions allowed
-
Original, mobile-friendly and easy-to-edit template
-
Design must reflect African cultural authenticity and practical business needs
Requirements
Participants must create their template within Canva and upload it through the official entry form accessible via this page.
Each submission must include a brief artist statement (up to 150 words) describing the target audience, the problem the design solves and how it supports business growth.
Entries will be judged on creativity, usability, visual appeal and cultural relevance.
Deadline
The application deadline is December 15, 2025.
Discover more creative competitions on our Opportunities page.
Summary not available at this time.
