The Africa Organization for Standardization (ARSO) has officially announced the 13th Continental Essay Competition 2025/2026, inviting students across the African continent to participate in one of the most intellectually stimulating essay challenges of the year.
Each year, ARSO challenges young Africans to explore pressing trade, development, and sustainability issues, offering a platform for the next generation of thinkers, innovators, and policymakers to share their perspectives. The 2025/2026 edition focuses on a vital theme that resonates with Africa’s economic aspirations and global competitiveness.
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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.”
The competition encourages students to reflect on how standards and harmonization can promote equitable trade, industrialization, and sustainable development within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and beyond. The theme is strategically chosen to align with Africa’s growing emphasis on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which seeks to remove trade barriers, boost local manufacturing, and integrate African economies.
Participants are expected to:
- Examine how harmonised standards can bridge gaps between African markets.
- Analyze their role in reducing technical barriers to trade (TBTs).
- Explore how fair and just trade practices can empower local industries.
- Offer practical insights into promoting inclusive, sustainable economic growth across Africa.
By engaging with this topic, students will not only demonstrate their academic writing and analytical skills but also contribute meaningfully to policy and business discussions shaping Africa’s future.
Name of Organizer
Africa Organization for Standardization (ARSO)
Requirement/Eligibility Criteria
To participate in the ARSO 13th Continental Essay Competition 2025/2026, applicants must meet the following requirements:
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- Nationality: Open to citizens of all African countries.
- Age Requirement: Applicants must be below 35 years of age at the time of submission.
- Academic Status: Must be currently enrolled in a university, polytechnic, or college recognized by the local commission for higher education or equivalent body in their country.
- Essay Length:
Essays should be between 1,000 and 1,200 words.
- Formatting & Presentation:
- Essays must be double-spaced.
- Font: Century Gothic, size 12.
- Language: Essays must be written in English or French only.
- Author’s Information:
Applicants should include up to 50 words describing themselves, including:
- Full Name
- Course and Year of Study
- Institution Name and Country
- Town/City of Study (This will not count toward the word limit.)
- Contact Details:
On the first page of the essay, include:
- Postal, Physical, and Email Addresses
- Title of the Essay
- Author’s Full Name
- Telephone Number
- Attachments Required:
- Copy of National ID or Passport
- Completed Registration Form (ARSO/CACO/EC/Form 1/2025)
- Disqualification Notice: Essays failing to meet length, formatting, or eligibility requirements will be disqualified automatically.
Prizes
The ARSO 13th Continental Essay Competition offers national and continental recognition, along with generous cash prizes to celebrate intellectual excellence.
- Continental Level Prizes
1st Place: USD $1,000
2nd Place: USD $800
3rd Place: USD $500 - National Level Prizes
1st Place: ₦250,000
2nd Place: ₦200,000
-3rd Place: ₦150,000
Each participating country organizes national-level competitions, from which top essays are submitted to the continental round. Winners not only gain financial rewards but also continental recognition, certificates of achievement, and opportunities for further engagement with ARSO initiatives.
Deadline
28th February,2025.
Apply Now
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