Ibrahim Prize

The Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership, also known as the Ibrahim Prize, is an annual prize awarded to a former African Executive Head of State or Government on criteria of good governance, democratic election and respect of terms limits. Since its inception, the Prize has been awarded 7 times. It has often not been offered, with no leader being found worthy of the award on a given year.

Background
Established by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation in 2007, the Ibrahim Prize celebrates excellence in African leadership. It is awarded to a former Executive Head of State or Government by an independent Prize Committee composed of eminent figures, including two Nobel Laureates. Prize winners are referred to as Ibrahim Laureates.

The Ibrahim Prize
 * Recognises and celebrates African leaders who have developed their countries, lifted people out of poverty and paved the way for sustainable and equitable prosperity
 * Highlights exceptional role models for the continent
 * Ensures that Africa continues to benefit from the experience and expertise of exceptional leaders when they leave national office, by enabling them to continue in other public roles on the continent

Criteria
 * Former African head of government
 * Left office in the last three years
 * Democratically elected
 * Served their constitutionally mandated term
 * Demonstrated exceptional leadership

Award
Prize recipients are awarded US$5 million, divided into annual instalments of US$500,000 paid out over 10 years, followed by US$200,000 annually, thereafter.

With a US$5 million payment, the Ibrahim Prize, is believed to be the world's largest, exceeding the $1.5m Nobel Peace Prize. Former South African President Nelson Mandela, former United States President Bill Clinton, and former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan are among those who have welcomed the initiative.

The Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership has been awarded in 2007, 2008, 2011, 2014, 2017 and 2020. Former South African president Nelson Mandela was named an honorary laureate in 2007. Desmond Tutu was awarded a Special Prize for speaking truth to power in 2012.

Prize Committee
Former Committee Chairs:
 * Festus Mogae (Chair), former President of Botswana
 * Aicha Bah Diallo, former Education Minister of Guinea
 * Mohamed ElBaradei, Director General Emeritus, International Atomic Energy Agency
 * Horst Köhler, former President of Germany
 * Graça Machel, Former Education Minister of Mozambique
 * Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland


 * Kofi Annan (2007-2011), former Secretary-General of the United Nations

Former Committee members:
 * Salim Ahmed Salim (2007-2020), former Prime Minister of Tanzania and Secretary General of the Organisation of African Unity


 * Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (2007-2008), Director-General of the World Trade Organization and former Finance Minister of Nigeria
 * Martti Ahtisaari (2007-2019), former President of Finland