Simani Africa exists to engage, empower and elevate young people. The Simani Elevate Awards 2026 is its youth awards gala: a night honouring Kenya's next generation of changemakers.
Who the awards are for
The awards celebrate young people driving change across business, leadership, community, technology, the creative arts, the environment and technical skills. They are for the entrepreneur building from the ground up, the advocate speaking for their generation, the creative lighting up a stage, and the young person who turned a trade into a livelihood.
Youth and TVET
13 categories in all: The Trailblazer Award, Hustle & Hope Award, Voice of the Generation, Mtaa Changemaker Award, She Rises Award, He Rises Award, Digital Disruptor Award, Creative Fire Award, Green Guardian Award, Comeback Champion Award and Skills to Success Award for young achievers, and TVET Institution of Excellence and Industry Champion for Youth Skills, recognising the institutions and companies that turn skills into jobs.
Decided by the public
Every winner is chosen through public voting. Nominations open first (2 November 2026 to 7 November 2026), then the public votes (8 November 2026 to 30 November 2026), and the winners are celebrated at the gala on 11 December 2026 in Nairobi (venue to be announced).
Engage. Empower. Elevate.