Call for Submissions: SADC Quality Awards 2026

The Secretariat of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) invites companies and individuals in the SADC region to submit entries for the 2026 SADC Quality Awards. The awards recognize organizations and people contributing to quality advancement across sectors using quality measurement and management systems. Entries must be submitted electronically by National Quality Awards Focal Points (NQAFPs) by 14 November 2026. The SADC Quality Awards were approved in 2009 by the SADC Committee of Ministers of Trade. The competition aims to encourage both public and private entities operating in the SADC region to apply and comply with international standards in day-to-day operations. The awards recognize organizations and individuals contributing to quality advancement in all sectors of SADC through quality measurement and quality systems, procedures, and processes aligned with local, regional, and international practices. The awards also recognize the use of quality to support national and regional economic development and growth. This opportunity is an awards competition. The source provided does not specify monetary prizes, funding amounts, or other financial support for winners. What is specified is recognition across five categories (including distinctions for Large Enterprises and Small and Medium Enterprises for company/product/service/exporter awards). The 2026 SADC Quality Awards are open to: However, applicants must meet the key eligibility condition:

Not specified in the source:

The awards are organized around quality advancement and related contributions across sectors, including: The SADC Quality Awards provide regional recognition for entities and individuals who have demonstrated quality systems and practices aligned with local, regional, and international standards. For companies and quality professionals, being selected at regional level is closely linked to prior national-level success and a clear focus on quality-driven competitiveness, including exports and locally delivered services.

1. Who can apply for the 2026 SADC Quality Awards?

Companies and individuals from SADC Member States/region are eligible, but only if they were recognized as national winners in 2026 in the category they want to enter at regional level.

2. Are there different categories for companies and products?

Yes. The awards include categories for Company of the Year, Product of the Year, Service of the Year, Exporter of the Year, and Individual of the Year. For the first four categories, there are awards for Large Enterprises and Small and Medium Enterprises.

3. What is the submission deadline for entries?

The deadline is 14 November 2026. The source does not specify the submission time or time zone.

4. How must entries be submitted?

Entries must be submitted electronically by the National Quality Awards Focal Points (NQAFPs). Submissions after the deadline will not be considered.

5. What documents are required?

The source states that the entry submission must include the duly completed Entry Forms and supporting documents. The specific document list is not provided in the supplied text.

6. Where should applicants find the entry forms and detailed instructions?

The source page includes a Download Document option, but no direct file link is provided in the supplied content. Applicants should download the official document from the SADC opportunity page. If your organization or you as an individual are a national winner in 2026 in the appropriate category, review the official 2026 SADC Quality Awards submission document from the SADC page and coordinate with your National Quality Awards Focal Point (NQAFP) to ensure your electronically submitted entry forms and supporting materials meet the required format and the 14 November 2026 deadline.