Application Deadline: February 28, 2026
Applications are now open for the 2025/2026 Africa Organization for Standardization (ARSO) 13th Continental Essay Competition. Each year, ARSO invite students to explore pressing topics, share their perspectives, and contribute to the ongoing dialogue on sustainable development and standards in Africa.
13th Continental Essay Competition for the year 2025/2026
Theme – “The role of harmonised standards in reducing Technical Barriers to Trade and in promoting fair and just trade within the Intra-African and Global Trade“
Eligibility Criteria
- Open to Citizens of all African Countries
- Applicants only below the age of 35 years living in Africa and studying in a university, polytechnic, college recognised by the local commission for university education or equivalent body in their countries
Selection Process
Basic Essay Requirements
- Length of essays : Essays should be between 1000 and 1200 words
- Presentation: Essays should be double spaced and presented inCentury Gothic, size 12
- Language of essays: Essays must be submitted in English or French
- Information on the author: Authors may use up to 50 words to describe themselves. Information should include their names, course and year of study, name, town and country in which their university is located. N/B: this will not be part of the 1000- 1200 words
- Contacts of authors: Authors should provide us with their postal, physical, telephone and email addresses on the first page of the essay together with the title of the essay and information on the author.
- Kindly attach a copy of the Identity Card or Passport and a completely filled Registration Form (ARSO/CACO/EC/Form 1/2025
Benefits
The prize is in 2 Group: Continental Level and National Level
Continental Level:
1st winner: $1,000
- Economy Class Return Air Ticket and Accomodation to the General Assembly in Uganda in June | July 2026
- Recognition and Awarding During the General Assembly
- Publishing of the Essay on the ARSO Website
2nd winner: $800
- Recognition and Awarding During the General Assembly
- Publishing of the Essay on the ARSO Website
3rd winner: $500
- Recognition and Awarding During the General Assembly
- Publishing of the Essay on the ARSO Website
National Level:
- 1st winner: N250,000
- 2nd Winner: N200,000
- 3rd winner: N150,000
Submission to the Continental Level
- Minimum of 25 participants* should be registered and evalutated by participating National Standards Bodies in order for Countries to be considered for the Regional | Continental Competition.
- The Country Reports Submission Deadline for Sibmission of Top Five Winners by NSBs is Friday 17th April 2026 through the following email – [email protected]
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the ARSO 13th Continental Essay Competition
