Award Procedures
A transparent, research-backed process designed to ensure every nomination is evaluated fairly and consistently.
A Transparent Process
From Start to Stage
From Nomination to Gala Night
Research & Nomination
The EABQA Markets team works to identify outstanding businesses, driving many of the nominations itself, and encourages external nominations from subscribers, web visitors, social media followers, on-ground questionnaires and clients.
Shortlisting
All nominees are formally asked to accept their nomination and may submit additional supporting information to reinforce it. Accepted nominees are forwarded to the jury.
Vetting & Judging
A jury of experts from different professional bodies assesses every entry, gathering information independently from publicly accessible sources alongside the material supplied.
Public Voting
Shortlisted nominees are published on the official voting platform. The people of East Africa vote online and by USSD.
Notifications
Winners are personally notified before any public announcement, allowing time for internal communications and marketing coordination.
Gala Ceremony
Winners are announced live at the prestigious EABQA Gala Dinner in Kampala, Uganda. A memorable evening of celebration.
EABQA 2026 Key Dates
| Milestone | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Nominations & Research | 2026 cycle | Completed |
| Shortlisting & Jury Vetting | 2026 cycle | Completed |
| Public Voting Opens | Live now | Open |
| Public Voting Closes | 10 September 2026 · 23:55 EAT | In Progress |
| Winner Notifications | After voting closes | Upcoming |
| Guest Speakers Announced | 20 confirmed | Completed |
| EABQA 2026 Gala Dinner – Kampala, Uganda | Friday, 16 October 2026 · 15:30 – 21:30 hrs EAT | Upcoming |
* Dates are subject to change. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated.
How the Programme Runs
Research
The EABQA Markets team works diligently to identify outstanding businesses, driving many of the nominations themselves. The team also encourages external nominations from subscribers, web visitors, social media followers, clients and a wider audience. Nominating parties are invited to put forward either their own business or third-party companies that they hold in high regard.
Shortlisting
All nominees are formally requested to accept their nomination, and nominees are free to accept or decline. Those who formally accept are given the opportunity to submit additional supporting information to reinforce their nomination. While there is no obligation to provide this material, many nominees value this stage of the process as much as our research team does.
Evaluating Shortlisted Nominees
Our dedicated research team assesses all the information presented to them. The team gathers information independently from a variety of publicly accessible sources, which is then evaluated alongside any material supplied by the nominating party or the nominee themselves. The final judgment is based on various criteria, including business performance, longevity, diversification, growth (whether sustained or rapid), significant innovations, and feedback from stakeholders.
How Winners Are Determined
Once winners are selected, they are personally notified before any public announcement is made, allowing time for internal communications within the business and coordination of marketing strategies. While not everyone can be a winner, all participants are encouraged to return next year. After the press embargo is lifted, details of the award winners are made public via our website, the award winners’ magazine and the subscriber newsletter.
Sharing the News
We offer a range of promotional packages and items to EABQA award winners, which include inclusion in the winners’ directory, trophies, and features in our magazine, on our website and across other advertising platforms.
We encourage all winners to independently announce their achievement in order to gain maximum exposure. Announcements on company websites, social media, via press releases and through local and national press are excellent ways to maximise visibility for such a great accomplishment. If you need further advice on how to publicise your win, please get in touch — we are more than happy to assist our clients with their promotional needs.
Official Award Rules
Download the full EABQA 2026 Award Rules and Procedures document for detailed information on eligibility, nomination requirements, and judging criteria.