Beyond Awards

Beyond Awards 2026:
Recognizing Organizations and People who have gone ‘Beyond’

Now in its fourth year, the Beyond Awards continue to recognise and celebrate organisations, projects, innovations, reports, communication campaigns, and individuals driving meaningful sustainability impact across Africa.

Launched in 2023 in partnership with SAB, the Beyond Awards have grown into a respected platform for recognising excellence in environmental stewardship, social responsibility, governance leadership, sustainability innovation, and transformational impact.

Hosted as part of the Sustainability & ESG Africa Conference 2026, the awards honour those who are going beyond compliance to create measurable value for business, society, and the environment.

Why Enter?

The Beyond Awards provide organisations and individuals with the opportunity to:

Gain recognition for sustainability excellence
Showcase ESG leadership and innovation
Benchmark achievements against industry peers
Enhance organisational credibility and reputation
Receive recognition from an independent judging panel
Celebrate success at Africa’s premier sustainability gathering
Demonstrate commitment to responsible and sustainable business practices

How to Enter?

Step 1:
Choose Your Category

Review the award categories and select the one that best reflects your organisation’s achievement, project, innovation, report, or leadership contribution.

Step 2:
Prepare Your Submission

Compile your entry and supporting documentation, ensuring that you clearly demonstrate your impact, achievements, and alignment with the relevant judging criteria.

Step 3:
Submit Your Entry

Email your completed submission and supporting materials before the closing date of 20 August 2026.

Step 4:
Evaluation & Adjudication

All entries will undergo an independent screening and adjudication process. Finalists may be invited to participate in an online or in-person adjudication session where required.

Step 5:
Finalists & Awards Ceremony

Successful finalists will be notified and invited to attend the Beyond Awards 2026 Ceremony, taking place on 30 September 2026 at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg.

Award Categories

Award Details:

This award seeks to recognize the organization that has impactfully embedded sustainability into their business practices.

Who can submit an entry for this Award?
Any formal organisation legally operating in Africa including companies,
governmental agencies and non-governmental agencies with a turnover of >R10m

What will the judges be looking for?
Judges will be assessing the most level of comprehensive and impactful overall contribution against the sustainable development goals

Award Details

This award recognizes and celebrates small enterprises that have a big impact in sustainability, social, environmental and governance

Who can submit an entry for this Award?
Any formal organisation legally operating in Africa including companies,
governmental agencies and non-governmental agencies with a turnover of <R10m

What will the judges be looking for?
Judges will be assessing the submissions based on the level of innovation, the tangible socio-economic and/or environmental impact, as well as the sustainability and scalability of the projects entered

Award Details

This award acknowledges remarkable individual contribution towards advancing sustainability in Africa. From business leaders to media to civil society or government officials, any individual may apply.

Who can submit an entry for this Award?
Any adult individual having a positive social or/and environmental impact in the African continent

What will the judges be looking for?
Judges will be assessing the level of individual contribution based on tangible impact in the African continent and the ability to inspire others to drive the sustainability agenda.

Award Details

This award celebrates outstanding sustainability campaigns or communication strategies that effectively convey sustainability messages and engage audiences in meaningful ways.

Who can submit an entry for this Award?
Any formal organisation legally operating in Africa including companies,
governmental agencies and non-governmental agencies

What will the judges be looking for?
Judges will be assessing sustainability campaigns or communication strategies that effectively convey sustainability messages and engage audiences in meaningful ways.

Awards Process & Key Dates

The Beyond Awards form part of the Sustainability & ESG Africa Conference 2026, taking place on 30 September 2026 at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg.

Call for Entries 1 July 2026
Entries Close 25 August 2026
Screening & Adjudication Process 25 August – 10 September 2026
Final Judging Discussions (where required) 10 – 13 September 2026
Beyond Awards Ceremony 30 September 2026 from 17h00

Judging Process

All entries will be assessed by an independent panel of sustainability, ESG, governance, and industry experts.

The evaluation process will be based on category-specific scoring rubrics and judging criteria to ensure a fair, transparent, and rigorous assessment process.

Where required, finalists may be invited to participate in either an online or in-person adjudication session to provide additional insight into their submission.

What Judges Consider

Demonstrated impact and measurable outcomes
Innovation and leadership
Sustainability and scalability
Governance and transparency
Alignment with category objectives
Contribution to sustainable development in Africa

Submission Requirements

To ensure a smooth evaluation process, all entries must include the following information:

Organisation Details

Organisation Name
Industry Sector
Contact Person
Job Title
Email Address
Contact Number
Country

Award Category

Please clearly indicate the category for which the submission is being entered.

Submission Requirements

Applicants should provide:

An executive summary of the initiative, project, report, innovation, campaign, or achievement
A detailed submission addressing the relevant judging criteria
Supporting evidence, data, reports, case studies, testimonials, images, or other documentation demonstrating impact and outcomes
Any additional information that may assist the judging panel

Submission Deadline

All entries must be received by 20 August 2026.

EMAIL ADDRESS:

PHONE NUMBER :

Beyond Awards

Beyond Awards 2026:
Recognizing Organizations and People who have gone ‘Beyond’

Why Enter?