“Africa must once again become the center of human knowledge and creativity. Knowledge is our new weapon of sovereignty, and excellence our standard. The KANU Prize is an instrument of this reclamation: the reclamation of Africa’s intellectual dignity.” — Dr. Kammogne Fokam, Founding President of the Pan-African Think Tank KANU
In a world marked by uncertainty, geostrategic competition and a battle of ideas, Africa cannot remain a mere spectator of its destiny. The continent must again become a central actor in producing knowledge, models and innovation. Guided by this conviction, KANU – The Pan-African Think Tank (Knowledge for Africa’s New Uprising), initiated by Dr. Kammogne Fokam, has set itself the mission of rebuilding Africa’s intellectual sovereignty.
The KANU Prize and the KANU Certified Training Programmes are two major instruments of this ambition. The former celebrates and rewards African minds who think, invent and transform; the latter equips strategic elites capable of anticipating, deciding and influencing. Together they embody the rebirth of an Africa that thinks for itself, by itself, and with the world.
The KANU Prize is not a mere honorary distinction. It is a symbolic institution dedicated to recognizing African genius and promoting a sovereign, innovative and transformative way of thinking.
Inspired by the African Union’s Agenda 2063 — “The Africa We Want” — the Prize is rooted in three guiding principles:
The name KANU — “Knowledge for Africa’s New Uprising” — evokes both knowledge and resurrection: the continent’s intellectual awakening and spiritual renaissance.
KANU articulates its Excellence strategy around two complementary pillars:
Their articulation creates a virtuous circle: formation drives excellence; recognized excellence inspires formation.
The KANU Prize is the highest distinction awarded by KANU. It recognizes outstanding contributions by Africans — on the continent and in the diaspora — to thought, research, innovation, invention and socioeconomic transformation.
For researchers, scientists, inventors and creators of disruptive solutions rooted in African realities and capable of shaping global dynamics.
For business leaders and builders who have created organizations with strong impact on development (in at least five countries), turning potentials into tangible wealth and demonstrating the capacity to make the impossible possible.
Each Prize carries a total endowment of USD 1,500,000:
Beyond the endowment, KANU offers strategic support including mentorship, dissemination, advocacy and participation in major Pan-African intellectual platforms.
An Pan-African Excellence Jury oversees the process, composed of:
Deliberations are confidential and guided by a Charter of intellectual independence and ethics specific to KANU.
The KANU Prize Award Ceremony is held each year during the KANU Annual Grand Conference, right after the Certified Training sessions.
The Certified Training Programmes are KANU’s flagship for developing Africa’s strategic capabilities — equipping a Pan-African elite to face the 21st-century challenges: digital sovereignty, global geopolitics, influence diplomacy, economic innovation and continental security.
Each participant receives the KANU Certificate in African Strategic Leadership, recognized by:
The KANU Prize and Certified Training together form an ecosystem of Pan-African excellence. Training creates a pool of talent that can become Prize laureates; laureates, in turn, act as mentors and ambassadors for the training programme.
This mechanism embodies KANU’s philosophy: train, inspire, reward and transmit.
KANU positions itself as a major actor of African intellectual diplomacy. Its initiatives influence:
The KANU Prize aims to become, for Africa, a symbol of intellectual excellence, innovation, respectability and dignity.
A strict independence clause prevents external interference. Funding comes from:
KANU guarantees durability through a permanent endowment and income from intellectual activities (training, publications, strategic forums).
The KANU Prize is not an end but a beginning. It embodies the promise of a confident, creative and sovereign Africa. Through this Prize, KANU invites the continent to reclaim the voice of knowledge, celebrate its thinkers, uplift its captains of industry and forge its own future.
KANU – Knowledge for Africa’s New Uprising
An Africa that thinks, innovates and rises.
