Rabat – On the occasion of our 15th anniversary in May 2026, Morocco World News is excited to announce the launch of the Toubkal Prize for Strategic Thinking. The mountain metaphor in the prize’s name is an invocation of greatness, amplitude, elevation, and depth for genuinely strategic thinking and original writing in an age of triumphant generation of unoriginal, regurgitated content.
In addition to the prize’s original name, MWN wishes to embrace an annual tradition of celebrating a towering figure of Morocco’s past and present intellectual life. For this inaugural prize, we will be honoring Abdellah Laroui, a distinguished Moroccan historian, philosopher, and thinker known for his original and deeply insightful reflections on Arab and Moroccan history and modernity.
Context and objective
In line with Laroui’s oeuvre, this year’s essay contest aims to recognize and nurture the historical imagination and strategic thinking of young, emerging African thinkers and leaders.
Laroui’s extensive body of work, which bridges historical scholarship with contemporary socio-political critique, has made him a central figure in understanding the complexities of Morocco’s past and present.
Meanwhile, the Moroccan government has in recent years critically embraced a diplomacy of unapologetic assertiveness on both the continental and global stages. And for young Moroccans interested in Africa’s shifting geopolitical landscapes, or young Africans interested in making sense of Morocco’s vision of pan-Africanism, the importance of strategic thinking and a deep sense of history has never been more critical.
In a world of complex, intertwined crises, critical and original thinking skills are essential for understanding the stakes and advocating for Africa’s best interests. As such, this prize aims to encourage young minds to contribute thoughtfully to the continent’s future through their insightful analyses and innovative ideas about Africa’s past, present, and future in global geopolitics. Send us your essays at this address: [email protected]. The deadline for participation is March 25, and winners will be announced by May 30.
Conditions and Prizes
Eligibility:
– Open to African citizens between the ages of 18 and 35.
– Participants must submit an original essay in English.
– The essay should be between 3500-5000 words.
Essay Topics:
Participants may choose from the following themes:
- The Need for Strategic Thinking in Navigating Africa’s Shifting Geopolitical Landscape
- Western Sahara Diplomacy: Why Morocco is winning and what lays ahead
- Historical perspectives on Africa’s global diplomacy: Lessons for today.
- Crisis management in the Sahel: strategic approaches for African leaders
Submission Guidelines:
– Essays must be submitted in a word file.
– Submissions should include a cover page with the participant’s name, age, nationality, and contact information.
– The deadline for submissions is March 25.
Prizes
First Prize: a $1,700 wire, a certificate of recognition, and publication of the winning essay on the MWN website.
Second Prize: a $1,500 wire, a certificate of recognition, and publication of the winning by MWN.
Third Prize: a $1000 wire, a certificate of recognition, and publication on the MWN website.
Fourth prize: a $700 wire, a certificate of recognition, and publication of the essay by MWN.
Fifth prize: a $500 wire, a certificate of recognition, and publication of the essay on the MWN website.
Judging Criteria:
– Originality and creativity of the ideas presented.
– Depth of analysis and understanding of the chosen topic.
– Clarity and coherence of the writing.
– Practicality and relevance of the proposed solutions.
Please note that by submitting your essay for consideration for this prize, you automatically give Morocco World News the right to use it as it sees fit for publication on its website or other public-facing engagements. For example, MWN reserves the right to publish the top 10 essays in a collective book. We look forward to reading your insightful essays and celebrating the strategic African thinkers of tomorrow.
