The Africa Construction Law (ACL) Awards recognise excellence, leadership, and impact across Africa’s construction law ecosystem. The ACL Awards celebrate individuals, projects, and initiatives that have made a material contribution to construction law, practice, project delivery, dispute resolution, policy, and professional development across the continent.
Nominations are invited from across Africa and beyond, reflecting the truly international and interdisciplinary nature of construction law and practice.
How to Nominate?
• Complete the online nomination form
• Self-nominations are permitted where applicable
Who Can Be Nominated?
Unless otherwise stated for a specific category:
01
Nominees may be based in Africa and / or have substantial experience in construction projects, disputes or advisory work on the continent
02
Nominees may be individuals or organisations, depending on the category
03
Self-nominations are permitted
04
Nominees may come from legal or non-legal backgrounds
05
ACL reserves the right to:
Make no award in a category
Reclassify nominations where it is justified
C A T E G O R I E S
1. Rising Star in Construction Law
Purpose
Recognises a professional who has demonstrated exceptional promise, impact, and leadership potential within the construction law ecosystem.
Who Should Be Nominated
• Minimum of 3 years working experience
• 40 years and under as of 11 May 2026
• Legal and non-legal backgrounds
• Actively involved in construction law, projects, disputes, or advisory work
Judging Focus
• Impact beyond expected seniority
• Quality of work and outputs
• Innovation, initiative, or original thinking
• Demonstrated leadership potential
2. Leading Legal Practitioner in Construction Law
Purpose
Recognises a senior-level lawyer demonstrating sustained excellence, leadership, and professional influence in construction law practice.
Who Should Be Nominated
Practising construction lawyers (private practice, in-house, or advisory)
A proven track record over multiple years
Demonstrated significant impact on capacity building within the industry
Africa-focused or Africa-impacting practice
Judging Focus
Professional excellence and complexity of work
Reputation and peer recognition
Leadership within firm, teams, matters, or the wider profession
Contribution to the development of construction law (practice and people)
3. Leading Expert in the Construction Ecosystem (Non-Legal)
Purpose
Recognises a non-legal professional whose expertise has materially shaped project outcomes, dispute resolution, or industry standards.
Who Should Be Nominated
• Engineers, quantum experts, project directors, technical specialists, or similar professionals
• Demonstrated involvement in construction projects or disputes
• High quality technical experience (within and/or outside Africa)
• Track record of impact or influence within the African ecosystem
Judging Focus
• Technical excellence and rigour
• Measurable impact on outcomes
• Cross-disciplinary collaboration
• Contribution to African construction industry best practice
4. Project or Initiative of the Year
Purpose
Recognises a specific project, dispute, transaction, reform, or initiative representing outstanding achievement within the construction law ecosystem.
Eligibility Criteria
• A clearly defined single project or initiative
• Completed or substantially advanced within the review period
• Africa-based or Africa-impacting
Judging Focus
• Significance and complexity
• Tangible impact on industry, stakeholders, or policy advancement
• Quality of execution and coordination
Submission Guideline
Submission must clearly show:
What the problem was?
What was done differently?
What changed because of this project?
Who benefited (industry, policy, parties)?
5. Lifetime Achievement Award
Purpose
ACL’s highest honour, recognising a distinguished career marked by exceptional leadership, influence, and long-term contribution to construction law and practice in Africa.
Who Should Be Nominated
• Selection-based (not open for public nomination)
• Senior individual with a career spanning over decades
• Thought leader
• Judges may consider confidential references where appropriate
Kindly fill the form below to nominate
Important Note
The African Construction Law Awards are not participation awards. Recognition is reserved for nominees who demonstrate exceptional merit and impact in line with the above criteria.