Toyota Tsusho Corporation announced on March 9 that the inaugural award recipients of THE TOYOTA TSUSHO CFAO African Art Award.

The 2026 Award Recipients
• Grand Prize : Moffat Takadiwa
• Distinguished Awards (joint second-place winners): Gosette Lubondo & Unathi Mkonto
• Sponsor Awards (Special Jury Prizes): Katlego C.L Twala & Tizta Berhanu

In August 2025, Toyota Tsusho and its group company CFAO established the award as a cultural and artistic initiative aimed at creating the future of Africa through art, making it the first initiative of its kind by a Japanese private company. This award aims to help develop the next generation of African talent and vibrant, resilient communities through the discovery and support of young African artists.

In the selection process, 35 art professionals active around the world, including curators and art critics, participated as nominators through the global networks of Toyota Tsusho and CFAO. Approximately 100 artists representing local art scenes across Africa were nominated. From these, a shortlist of 12 artists was established based on originality, coherence, and relevance. Following a rigorous screening process conducted by 10 jury members, five award recipients were named across five prizes categories: one Grand Prize, two Distinguished Awards, and two Sponsor Awards.

Representative works by the winners will be exhibited starting with an exhibition in the Republic of Togo in June, followed by exhibitions in Japan and France.