We become what we celebrate.

SAMA

By big sister africa
Africa’s youth-led distinction
for positive influence.
WHAT IS SAMA?

An annual cultural
distinction celebrating
the standards and voices positively shaping Africa’s next generation.

The 2nd edition holds - March 3rd 2027. Dakar Sénégal

Group of smiling young adults in colorful traditional and modern attire posing indoors in front of a SAMA 2025 banner.
Photo of a phone screen showing a woman sitting on a yellow chair with a microphone in front, holding a phone, with camera settings visible around the image.
 why sama exists

Culture teaches us
what is worth admiring.

Too often, we celebrate the outcome.
SAMA celebrates what builds it.
The habits. The standards. The mindset. The choices.
We become what we celebrate.

Two Distinctions
One Generation

Photo of a phone screen showing a woman sitting on a yellow chair with a microphone in front, holding a phone, with camera settings visible around the image.
SAMA community awards

SAMA celebrates what builds people.

SAMA Community Distinctions emerge from what is observed throughout the year within the Big Sister Africa community - SAMA’s year-round youth education and media platform.
Photo of a phone screen showing a woman sitting on a yellow chair with a microphone in front, holding a phone, with camera settings visible around the image.
THE TRANSMISSION AWARD

SAMA celebrates
Who Builds the Next Generation

Positive influence should be worth celebrating.
‍
For its second edition, SAMA introduces the Transmission Award, inviting young Africans to nominate the social media voices that have had the most positive impact on their lives - celebrating those helping shape Africa’s next generation.

2025 Distinctions

Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Discipline
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Reliability & Integrity
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Leadership
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Discipline
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Reliability & Integrity
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Leadership
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Discipline
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Reliability & Integrity
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Leadership
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Discipline
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Reliability & Integrity
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Leadership
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Discipline
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Reliability & Integrity
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Leadership
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Discipline
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Reliability & Integrity
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Leadership
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Discipline
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Reliability & Integrity
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Leadership
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Discipline
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Reliability & Integrity
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Leadership
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Discipline
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Reliability & Integrity
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Leadership
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Discipline
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Reliability & Integrity
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Leadership
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Discipline
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Reliability & Integrity
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Leadership
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Discipline
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Reliability & Integrity
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Leadership
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Discipline
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Reliability & Integrity
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Leadership
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Discipline
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Reliability & Integrity
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Leadership
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Discipline
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Reliability & Integrity
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Leadership
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Discipline
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Reliability & Integrity
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Leadership
SAMA Transmission Award governance

SAMA Council on Influence & Responsibility

The SAMA Council on Influence & Responsibility is an independent body safeguarding the integrity of the SAMA Transmission Award.

Following youth nominations, the Council reviews shortlisted voices against standards of integrity, ethics, responsible influence and demonstrated positive impact.Young people choose the voices. The Council safeguards the standard.

Coming Soon

Senegal 2025

The First Edition

SAMA first took place in Senegal as an intimate, curated moment - conceived, produced, and hosted by youth from the community.
Group of diverse people sitting and standing around a long, white table in a warmly lit room, some clapping and smiling.
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Group of people smiling and standing behind a white table decorated with candles and small potted plants at an indoor event.
Group of diverse people sitting and standing around a table, smiling and clapping in a warmly lit room with artwork on the walls.
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white bags labeled SAMA by Big Sister Africa with candles and decor on the table.
Group of smiling people dressed in colorful attire standing behind a candle-lit table at an indoor event.
Group of diverse young adults smiling and clapping around a long table set with water bottles and candles at a social gathering.
Two smiling women seated at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA' with lit candles in front of them.
Group of smiling people standing behind a long table with candles and plants at an indoor event.
Group of diverse people smiling and clapping around a white table with water bottles and candles, in an indoor setting with artwork on the walls.
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA' with lit candles in front of them.
A group of well-dressed people smiling and standing behind a long white table with candles and small potted plants at an indoor event.
Group of diverse people sitting and standing around a table, clapping and smiling in a warmly lit room with artwork on the walls.
Two smiling women holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA' seated at a table with lit candles.
Group of people smiling and celebrating around a white table decorated with candles and small plants indoors.
Group of diverse young adults sitting and standing around a table, smiling and clapping in a warmly lit room with artwork on the walls.
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA' with lit candles in front of them.
Group of people standing and smiling behind a long table decorated with candles and small plants in a warmly lit room.
Group of diverse women and men clapping and smiling around a long table set with water bottles and glasses in a warmly lit room.
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white shopping bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Group of people smiling and standing behind a white table with candles and plants at an indoor event.
A group of diverse people gathered around a table in a warmly lit room, some clapping and smiling, with artworks on the wall behind them.
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA par Big Sister Africa' with candles and a pitcher on the table.
Group of cheerful people standing behind a table decorated with candles and small plants in a bright room.
Group of diverse people smiling and clapping around a dinner table with candles and water bottles.
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA par Big Sister Africa' with lit candles and a pitcher in front of them.
Group of people smiling and standing behind a white table decorated with candles and small plants in a warmly lit room.
Group of diverse people smiling and clapping around a long table set with glasses and water bottles in a warmly lit room with artwork on the walls.
Two smiling women holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA par Big Sister Africa' while sitting at a table with lit candles and a glass pitcher.
Group of people smiling and standing behind a white table with candles and plants in a warmly lit room.
Group of diverse people seated and standing around a table, smiling and clapping in a warmly lit room with artwork on the walls.
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA par Big Sister Africa,' with lit candles on the table.
Group of people smiling and standing behind a white table decorated with candles and small potted plants during an indoor event.
Group of diverse people sitting and standing around a table, smiling and clapping in a warmly lit room with artwork on the walls.
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags with the text 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Group of people standing and smiling around a table with candles and small plants in a warmly lit room.
Group of diverse people socializing and clapping around a long table with water bottles and candles at an indoor gathering.
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA' with candles and glasses on the table.
Group of people standing behind a table smiling and interacting at an indoor event.
A diverse group of people smiling, clapping, and socializing around a long table set with water bottles and glasses in a warmly lit room with artwork on the wall.
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA' with lit candles on the table.
Group of people smiling and standing behind a white table decorated with candles and small plants indoors.
Group of diverse people sitting and standing around a table, smiling and clapping in a warmly lit room with artwork on the walls.
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA' with lit candles and a glass pitcher on the table.
Group of people smiling and standing behind a long table with candles and plants in a warmly lit room.
Group of diverse young adults sitting and standing around a table, smiling and clapping in a warmly lit room with artwork on the walls.
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA' with lit candles in front of them.
Group of smiling people standing behind a white table with candles and small plants in a warmly lit room.
Group of diverse young adults smiling and clapping around a table with water bottles and candles in an indoor setting with artwork on the walls.
Two smiling women holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA par Big Sister Africa' while sitting at a candlelit table.
Group of people smiling and standing behind a table decorated with candles and small plants at an indoor event.
A group of diverse people sitting and standing around a dinner table, smiling and clapping in a warmly lit room.
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA' with candles and glassware in front of them.
Group of smiling people standing behind a table with candles and plants during a social gathering indoors.
Group of diverse people smiling, clapping, and socializing around a long table with water bottles and candles in a warmly lit room with artwork on the walls.
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA' with candles and glassware in front of them.
Group of people smiling and standing behind a table with candles and small plants in a warmly lit room.
Group of diverse people smiling and clapping around a table set with water bottles, glasses, and candles in a warmly lit room with artwork on the walls.
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Group of people smiling and chatting around a long table decorated with candles and small plants indoors.
Group of diverse people seated and standing around a table, smiling and clapping in a warmly lit room with artwork on the walls.
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA' with lit candles and a glass pitcher in front of them.
Group of people smiling and standing side by side behind a table decorated with candles and small plants in a warmly lit room.
Group of diverse people smiling and clapping around a table with water bottles and candles in a warmly lit room with abstract paintings on the wall.
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Group of smiling people standing behind a candlelit table with plants and documents in a warmly lit room.
Group of people smiling and clapping around a dining table with water bottles and candles, with two abstract paintings on the wall behind them.
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white bags with the text 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
Group of people smiling and posing behind a white table decorated with candles and small plants at an indoor event.
Group of diverse people gathered around a table, clapping and smiling in a warmly lit room with artwork on the walls.
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA'.
A group of people smiling and standing behind a long table decorated with candles and small potted plants indoors.
Group of diverse people smiling and clapping around a long dining table set with glasses and candles in a warmly lit room with artwork on the walls.
Two smiling women sitting at a table holding white gift bags labeled 'SAMA PAR BIG SISTER AFRICA' with candles and a glass water pitcher on the table.
Group of people smiling and standing behind a decorated table with candles and plants at an indoor event.
Our Patrners

Rooted locally.
Connected Globally

SAMA partnerships connects local communities, youth voices and expertise with global institutions and networks - bringing local realities and global opportunity into the same room for Africa’s next generation.

Voice & Visibility

More Than Recognition

Beyond recognition, SAMA activated voice, visibility, and standards. For many participants, it marked the first public articulation of their ambitions and values - a foundational step in professional and civic participation.
Smiling man in striped shirt holding a microphone with a quote in French about learning to be before having, attributed to Mamadou Lamine Sene.

Stand for what the next generation carries forward.

Partnering with SAMA means standing alongside Africa’s next generation as they define the voices, values and standards worth recognising - and helping turn that recognition into skills, opportunity and what gets transmitted forward.
📣 Nominations Open for the SAMA Transmission Award 2027.
Nominate the account that changed your life →