Tier I recognitions acknowledge leadership exercised at continental or multi-regional scale. They honour individuals and institutions whose strategic decisions influenced how trade and industrial activity are financed, organised, or executed across multiple African markets.

Recognition under this tier reflects contributions that shaped market structures, industrial platforms, or financial architectures with effects extending beyond a single country or sector.

Tier II recognitions focus on the development of industrial production and strategic value chains. They honour enterprises and projects that established or expanded manufacturing capacity, energy systems, agro-industrial platforms, health production, or industrial technology essential to sustained economic activity.

The emphasis is on operational scale, continuity of production, and the integration of value chains that retain economic value within Africa.

Tier III recognitions address the systems that enable trade to function in practice. They focus on trade infrastructure, logistics networks, financial platforms, payment systems, and enterprise mechanisms that support cross-border commerce.

This tier recognises contributions that improved market connectivity, reduced friction in trade execution, or enabled enterprises—large and small—to operate across African markets.

Tier IV recognitions acknowledge public-sector execution where national or regional policy decisions led to measurable improvements in trade facilitation, corridor performance, or market usability.

They recognise that effective trade integration depends on implemented policies, functioning systems, and coordinated institutions that support predictable and efficient cross-border movement of goods and services.

Tier V is reserved for exceptional recognition of cumulative, long-term contribution to Africa's trade and industrial development. It honours work whose influence has been sustained over time and has shaped institutions, markets, or integration pathways at a foundational level.