Can I apply to be an EABQA judge?

Yes. Accepted applicants are assigned categories based on function and experience, and may judge as few or as many nominations as they like. You cannot judge a category in which you have submitted an entry.

Transparency & Integrity

The Judging Process

Q: How many judges review each entry?

No fewer than five judges review and rate each entry on a scale of 1 to 10. All entries are viewed and rated at the judges' convenience over the internet.

Built on the principles of integrity, equality and inclusivity, the East Africa Brand Quality Awards judging process is rigorous and transparent. Our diverse panel of expert judges works diligently to ensure that Award winners are businesses truly contributing to East Africa’s economic, social and cultural prosperity.

Independence

Fair, Independent & Credible

Many of the judges are invited professionals, assigned categories by East Africa Brand Quality Awards staff based on their industry, function and experience. Others apply to judge. Committees are formed around the main category groups, and judges are both volunteers and invitees.

Where a judge has a conflict of interest — a company in the same race, a relative, or a third-party business in any category — that member is expected to declare it and recuse themselves from the vetting panel. The chairperson may also require a member to stand aside. Any member found to have participated in a vetting where a conflict of interest existed is disqualified expressly.

No pay-to-win: no business can purchase an award
Every entry is reviewed and rated by no fewer than five (5) judges
Judges are drawn from different professional bodies
Conflict-of-interest declarations are mandatory before proceedings
All results are verified before announcement

Scoring

How Entries Are Scored

Platinum 80 – 100

Group A — the highest Quality Seal of Excellence in the category.

Gold 70 – 79

Group B — a Gold Award medal.

Silver 50 – 69

Group C — a Silver Award medal.

Mentioned 0 – 49

Group D — no award, but the nominee is mentioned.

Each entry is rated on a scale of 1–10 by no fewer than five judges. Judges’ average scores determine which nominees run for the public vote, and the public vote determines the winner.

Evaluation Framework

What Judges Are Looking For

Judges assess two things: the overall success of the business, and the positive impact it has made in the category it entered.

Business Success

Economic Sustainability

Makes sound financial decisions and manages cash flow effectively; is profitable over time and can clearly articulate potential profits; sustains its goals and purpose; has proven examples of achieving mission-critical goals; considers competitor behaviour and finds better ways to reach new markets; exceeds customer expectations.

Operational Effectiveness & Technology Adoption

Harnesses technology in innovative ways to move the business forward; changes course with agility to adapt to market changes; has developed new internal processes, production or services to operate more effectively; takes a creative approach to solving customer problems.

Progressive Leadership & Culture

Has a visionary, future-facing business strategy; takes a courageous approach to risk; fosters internal culture by celebrating innovation, collaboration and diversity; invests in employee development; is committed to reducing bias in hiring; treats customer feedback as an asset.

Social & Community Contribution

Purposefully contributes to the wellbeing of the communities it serves; promotes social impact internally and demonstrates it externally; provides measurable value to communities or society at large; behaves and operates transparently and ethically.

Positive Impact in the Chosen Category

Positive & Sustainable Impact

Proactively finds solutions for a prevalent problem, gap or need; understands the significance of its service, product or contribution; has a plan for creating change; can produce measurable evidence of its contribution; creates a visible difference; has created a legacy that will stand the test of time; possesses the scalability to increase its impact.

Thought Leadership & Innovation

Takes an innovative approach to forge new paths and create progress for the category; uses creative and strategic thinking to solve problems and overcome barriers; challenges the status quo by fostering fresh thinking in a way that demonstrably inspires others.

Commitment & Perseverance

Purposefully seeks to motivate, create and effect positive change or progress; shows passion and courage in achieving current and future goals; tenaciously approaches and overcomes any challenge.

Questions

Judging FAQs

How many judges review each entry?

No fewer than five (5) judges review and rate each entry, on a scale of 1–10. All entries are viewed and rated at the judges’ convenience over the internet.

Can I apply to be a judge?

Yes. As a judge you will see entries submitted by many organisations and develop a better sense of what scores highly. You will not be allowed to judge entries in categories in which you have submitted entries. If your application is accepted you will be assigned categories based on your function and experience, and you may judge as few or as many nominations as you like.

Are nominations reviewed before public voting?

Yes. Every nomination is verified and vetted by the jury before being shortlisted for public voting. Only the top-scoring nominees in each category run for the public vote.

How are conflicts of interest managed?

Panel members declare any conflict before proceedings and recuse themselves from that category. The chairperson may also require a member to stand aside. Anyone found to have sat on a vetting panel despite a conflict is disqualified expressly.

Will I see the judges’ comments?

Yes. All judges’ comments on entries are made available in the entrant’s entry-submission account when Award winners are announced.

Can winners challenge the result?

All decisions by the EABQA jury are final. The accuracy of claims made in winning entries may be audited, and any entry found to contain false or misleading information will be disqualified.