CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: WHO’S WHO IN AFRICAN POLYTECHNICS – (2025 INAUGURAL EDITION)

In every corner of Africa, Polytechnics are training the thinkers, doers, and innovators who are building the continent’s future. They are the unsung heroes of Africa’s development — producing the technicians who maintain our infrastructure, the engineers who design solutions to local challenges, and the creators who power our economies.

“Who’s Who in African Polytechnics” is a visionary initiative by Africa Book of World Records Limited (ABWR) to spotlight and celebrate the outstanding faculty, alumni, and contributors within Africa’s technical and vocational institutions. For the first time in history, a continental platform is giving visibility to the excellence emerging from African Polytechnics — not just Universities — in a structured, dignified, and globally relevant way.

Africa is experiencing a demographic boom — by 2050, one in four people on earth will be African. Yet, amid this growth, one of our most underleveraged assets is technical and vocational education. While universities often dominate the spotlight, polytechnics and technical colleges produce the essential human capital that powers every sector of African life.

This initiative answers a compelling question: Who are the individuals driving transformation within these institutions? From the brilliant technician who invented a low-cost irrigation system in Sudan to the polytechnic lecturer developing solar solutions in Ghana, their stories must be told, preserved, and elevated.

1. Creates a Landmark Publication: The “Who’s Who in African Polytechnics” book and digital edition will profile outstanding individuals from polytechnics across all African countries, selected through a rigorous and transparent process.

2. Produces Multimedia & Documentary Content: We document these achievers and their institutions through engaging short films, photo stories, and feature interviews — creating content that inspires youth and informs global stakeholders.
3. Hosts Recognition Events Across Africa: Our regional and continental events bring together record-holders, educators, policymakers, and investors to discuss the future of technical education and innovation in Africa.
4. Builds a Continental Network: We create a platform for collaboration between polytechnics, private sector players, development partners, and policy institutions — fostering scalable impact.

“Who’s Who in African Polytechnics” is not just a publication — it’s an investment in Africa’s human capital pipeline. It’s a unique opportunity for forward-thinking investors, philanthropists, educational donors, CSR leaders, and tech innovators to:

• Position themselves at the forefront of workforce development in Africa
• Support untapped but high-potential talent across the continent
• Gain visibility and goodwill among millions of youths and educators
• Be part of an initiative that bridges education, media, innovation, and development
• Co-brand with a trusted, pan-African platform driving measurable impact

Our initiative aligns with SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure) — making it an ideal CSR and ESG alignment.

• Dedicated Polytechnic Lecturers and Faculty who have made significant contributions to technical education.
• Inventors & Innovators who developed impactful projects or startups while in a polytechnic.
• Alumni Making Waves in business, public service, science, or community development.
• Institutions Leading Change with forward-thinking policies, partnerships, or research.

We are currently accepting applications, partnership inquiries, sponsorship proposals, and nominations from polytechnics, businesses, government agencies, development organizations, and individuals across Africa.

• Sponsor a section or country chapter
• Co-produce a documentary on polytechnic innovation
• Fund awards and fellowships for featured individuals
• Host ABWR’s recognition events in your region
• Join our educational technology and innovation coalition

This is your opportunity to be part of a history-making movement that changes the narrative of African education — not by comparing, but by elevating what is uniquely ours.

All correspondence should be directed to: partnerships@africaworldrecords.com or research@africaworldrecords.com

“Africa’s future won’t be imported. It will be designed, built, and maintained by its polytechnic thinkers and doers.” — ABWR Editorial Board