Mark Your Calendar! Deadline for MWN Toubkal Prize for Strategic Thinking is March 25

If you have what it takes to think beyond the headlines, beyond the noise, beyond what everyone else is saying, this one’s for you.

Rabat – In celebration of its 15th anniversary this May, Morocco World News (MWN) has proudly launched the Toubkal Prize for Strategic Thinking, a new initiative designed to recognize originality, critical analysis, and visionary thought among young African thinkers.

Named after Mount Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak, the prize evokes elevation, amplitude, and depth.

These are the very qualities required for strategic thinking in the age of artificial intelligence, sometimes dominated by repetitive, unoriginal content.

Beyond the prize’s symbolic name, MWN seeks to establish an annual tradition of celebrating Morocco’s towering intellectual figures, past and present.

For this inaugural edition, MWN is honoring Abdellah Laroui, a distinguished Moroccan historian, philosopher, and thinker.

Laroui’s extensive scholarship bridges historical research and contemporary socio-political critique, offering original and insightful perspectives on Arab and Moroccan history and modernity.

His work exemplifies the kind of intellectual depth and strategic reasoning that the Toubkal Prize aims to celebrate.

Essay contest details

Eligibility:

Open to African citizens aged 18–35.
Essays must be original and submitted in English.
Word count: 3,500–5,000 words.

Essay Topics:

The Need for Strategic Thinking in Navigating Africa’s Shifting Geopolitical Landscape
Western Sahara Diplomacy: Why Morocco is Winning and What Lies 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 as Word files.
- Include a cover page with participant name, age, nationality, and contact information.

Submission deadline: March 25

What you could win

First Prize: $1,700, certificate of recognition, and publication on MWN.
Second Prize: $1,500, certificate of recognition, and publication on MWN.
Third Prize: $1,000, certificate of recognition, and publication on MWN.
Fourth Prize: $700, certificate of recognition, and publication on MWN.
Fifth Prize: $500, certificate of recognition, and publication on MWN.

MWN is judging submissions based on various criteria, including originality and creativity of ideas, depth of analysis and understanding of the topic, as well as clarity and coherence of writing.

MWN is also looking out to make sure the topic is practical and relevant.

By submitting, participants grant MWN the right to use their essays for publication, including potential inclusion in a collective book featuring the top 10 entries.

Purpose and context

The prize also comes at a time when Morocco has increasingly embraced assertive diplomacy on both continental and global stages.

For young Moroccans interested in Africa’s evolving geopolitical landscape, or young Africans looking to understand Morocco’s vision of pan-Africanism, strategic thinking rooted in historical knowledge has never been more critical.

In line with Laroui’s philosophy, the Toubkal Prize seeks to cultivate historical imagination and analytical skill, encouraging young minds to contribute thoughtfully to Africa’s future.

Participants are invited to explore the continent’s past, present, and future, offering insights and solutions that reflect originality, rigor, and practical relevance.

Are you ready?

MWN invites young African thinkers to rise to this challenge, contributing ideas that are insightful, strategic, and forward-looking.

Submit your essay to: contact@mwn.ma by March 25.