The competition is open to journalists residing in Africa, employed by an African news organisation, and publishing or broadcasting their work on the continent. The awards cover financial journalism across print, radio, television, and online platforms spotlighting Africa’s economic challenges and progress. The awards carry a total cash prize of almost R1 million.
Entries close on 31 March 2025. Entries must have been published or broadcast between 1 January and 31 December 2024. All entries must be submitted via the entry form on the Sanlam Group’s Financial Journalism Awards website.
Selection process
The independent panel of judges, comprising retired business editors, media trainers, journalism academics, and economists is responsible for selecting the winners. The selection process is based on several criteria, including news value, impact, thoroughness of reporting, analytical value, originality, integrity, expertise on the topic, and storytelling ability.
As part of further enhancing and streamlining the competitive selection process, the independent judging panel has announced two new important rule changes for the awards.
Entrants may submit only two pieces of journalistic work as one entry in a category
Entrants can enter a maximum of three category awards only
Furthermore, entrants are reminded that an entry (i.e., news story) submitted for one category cannot be resubmitted in another category of the competition.
The rules for entering the awards can be viewed on the Eligibility and Rules webpage, while the criteria for evaluating entries are available at Categories and Criteria.
Competition categories
Over time, the categories have evolved and currently stand at nine.
Business and Companies
Economy
Financial Markets
Consumer Financial Education
The African Growth Story
Environment Social Governance: Business and (its impact on the) Environment
Environment Social Governance: Business and (its impact on) Society
Broadcast: Radio/Audio/Business news podcasts
Broadcast: Television/Video
Judging panel
Chair of the independent judging panel, Mr Nixon Kariithi, said, “We are excited to reach the jubilee milestone of recognising the best in African financial journalism. For 50 years, these awards have ensured that trust, accuracy and relevance are embedded in African business journalism and that this culture shall continue to be a beacon for the future. Journalists are the torchbearers of truth, illuminating the path to informed societies and holding power to account in an era where the integrity of information is paramount. Robust business journalism is fundamental to our journey towards a more just and equitable world.”
Mr Kariithi is joined on the panel by:
Ms Angela Agoawike, Media Practitioner (Nigeria)
Ms Emily May Brown, Media Studies Academic (Namibia)
Mr Freddie Rayborn Bulley, Financial Journalism Trainer (Ghana)
Mr Tom Indimuli, Communications Consultant (Kenya)
Mr Ulrich Joubert, Independent Economist (South Africa)
Ms Aggie Asiimwe Konde, Chartered Marketer CIM Fellow and ESG Advisor (Uganda)
Mr Charles Naudé, Retired Editor (South Africa)
Mr Musa Zondi, Communications Consultant (South Africa)