WAIPA Investment Excellence Awards 2026

The WAIPA Investment Excellence Awards recognise and celebrate outstanding Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) that are redefining excellence in investment promotion. The Awards honour agencies that have demonstrated leadership in strengthening investor services, facilitating investments, developing competitive investment ecosystems and helping existing investors grow—creating lasting economic value through innovation, collaboration and institutional excellence.

Apply for IPA Award 2026

Overview

The World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) is pleased to launch the WAIPA Investment Excellence Awards 2026, recognising and celebrating outstanding Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) that are redefining excellence in investment promotion through institutional leadership, innovation and measurable impact.

As the role of Investment Promotion Agencies continues to evolve, leading IPAs are no longer limited to promoting investment. They are becoming strategic partners to governments and investors by strengthening investor services, facilitating investments, developing competitive investment ecosystems and helping existing investors grow. Together, these functions contribute to stronger investment climates, greater investor confidence and long-term economic competitiveness.

The WAIPA Investment Excellence Awards 2026 recognise excellence across the investment lifecycle through four award categories covering Investor Gateway, Strategic Sector Development, Investment Facilitation, and Aftercare & Investor Retention. Collectively, these awards recognise the diverse ways in which modern IPAs contribute to attracting investment, supporting investors and strengthening national investment ecosystems.

The Awards provide a global platform for Investment Promotion Agencies to benchmark their achievements, showcase innovative practices, share international good practices and gain recognition from an independent international jury. The winners will be announced during the 30th World Investment Conference (WIC 2026) in Geneva, Switzerland.

IPA Awards 2026 Category

Category 1

WAIPA Investor Gateway Award

Recognising Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) that have established or significantly strengthened an Investor Gateway, One-Stop Shop, Single Window or other coordinated institutional arrangement that provides investors with a single point of access to government services and facilitates timely investment approvals, licences, permits and clearances throughout the investment lifecycle.

Note: The Investor Gateway, One-Stop Shop, Single Window or other institutional arrangement described in the application should have been established or significantly strengthened, in whole or in part, on or after 1 January 2023.

The WAIPA Investor Gateway Award recognises Investment Promotion Agencies that have created an effective gateway through which investors can access government services, obtain information, submit applications and receive coordinated support for investment approvals and clearances.

The Award is technology-neutral and recognises excellence in investor service delivery regardless of whether the Investor Gateway is delivered through a physical one-stop shop, a digital single window, a hybrid model or another institutional arrangement. The emphasis is on improving the investor experience, strengthening coordination across government and facilitating timely investment approvals.

A strong Investor Gateway goes beyond providing information. It simplifies the investor journey by coordinating multiple government entities, reducing administrative complexity, improving transparency and helping investors navigate regulatory processes efficiently.

Particular consideration will be given to gateways that demonstrate effective institutional coordination across ministries, regulators, municipalities, industrial park authorities, utilities, environmental agencies, customs authorities, subnational governments and other organisations involved in investment approvals and project implementation.

Applications should clearly demonstrate how the Investor Gateway has improved investor services, strengthened whole-of-government coordination and contributed to faster, more predictable and more transparent investment facilitation. Wherever possible, applicants are encouraged to provide measurable evidence such as reduced processing times, improved investor satisfaction, increased utilisation or other tangible outcomes.

Category 2

WAIPA Strategic Sector Development Award

Recognising Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) that have demonstrated outstanding leadership in developing a strategic sector through deep sector expertise, targeted investor outreach, strong partnerships and ecosystem development, contributing to increased investment, business growth and long-term sector competitiveness.

Note: The application should primarily describe initiatives, partnerships, investment promotion activities and outcomes undertaken on or after 1 January 2023, although earlier background information may be included where relevant.

The WAIPA Strategic Sector Development Award recognises Investment Promotion Agencies that have gone beyond traditional investment promotion to play a leading role in developing competitive strategic sectors and strengthening investment ecosystems.

As countries increasingly compete for investment in high-value industries and global value chains, successful investment promotion requires much more than marketing. It requires deep sector knowledge, compelling investment propositions, targeted investor outreach and close collaboration across government, industry, research institutions, innovation ecosystems and the private sector.

Recognising that strategic sector development is a whole-of-government effort, this award specifically recognises the distinctive contribution of the Investment Promotion Agency in positioning, promoting and facilitating investment within a strategic sector. While many institutions contribute to sector development, the emphasis is on the leadership, coordination and value added by the IPA.

Applications should demonstrate how the IPA has developed sector expertise, built strategic partnerships, strengthened the investment ecosystem, targeted priority investors and contributed to measurable investment outcomes. Particular consideration will be given to initiatives that have enhanced the competitiveness of the sector, strengthened participation in regional or global value chains and generated lasting economic benefits. Applicants are encouraged to support their submissions with measurable evidence wherever possible, including investment projects attracted, business expansions, capital investment, employment generation, innovation partnerships, exports, supplier development or other tangible outcomes.

Category 3

WAIPA Excellence in Investment Facilitation Award

Recognising Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) that have demonstrated exceptional investment facilitation in supporting a specific investment project from initial investor engagement through successful implementation. The Award recognises the distinctive contribution of the IPA in coordinating government, overcoming challenges and helping transform an investment opportunity into an operational project.

Note: The IPA’s investment attraction, facilitation, expansion or aftercare support for the investment project should have taken place, in whole or in part, on or after 1 January 2023

The WAIPA Excellence in Investment Facilitation Award recognises Investment Promotion Agencies that have demonstrated outstanding investment facilitation through their support to a specific investment project. The emphasis is on the contribution of the IPA rather than the size or profile of the investment itself.

Investment facilitation extends far beyond introducing investors or providing information. It requires Investment Promotion Agencies to understand investor requirements, coordinate multiple government agencies, resolve implementation challenges, facilitate approvals and maintain continuous engagement throughout the investment lifecycle to help projects reach successful implementation.

Recognising that investment facilitation is a whole-of-government effort, this award specifically recognises the leadership, coordination and value added by the Investment Promotion Agency. While many public institutions contribute to investment implementation, the award seeks to recognise how the IPA acted as the catalyst that enabled the project to progress successfully.

Applications should demonstrate the IPA’s role throughout the investment journey, highlighting key facilitation interventions, government coordination, innovative solutions and measurable outcomes. Particular consideration will be given to submissions that clearly show how the IPA helped overcome significant challenges, accelerated project implementation and contributed to successful investment outcomes.

Applicants are encouraged to support their submissions with measurable evidence wherever possible, including capital investment mobilised, jobs created, implementation milestones achieved, approvals facilitated, processing times reduced or other tangible results attributable, in whole or in part, to the IPA’s contribution.

Category 4

WAIPA Excellence in Aftercare & Investor Retention Award

Recognising Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) that have demonstrated excellence in supporting existing investors to expand, reinvest and grow through outstanding aftercare, effective government coordination and long-term investor engagement. The Award recognises the IPA’s contribution to helping existing investors strengthen their business, create greater economic value and build lasting partnerships with the host economy.

Note: The application should primarily describe aftercare initiatives, institutional improvements, investor support activities and outcomes undertaken on or after 1 January 2023, although earlier background information may be included where relevant.

The WAIPA Excellence in Aftercare & Investor Retention Award recognises Investment Promotion Agencies that have demonstrated outstanding leadership in supporting the long-term success of existing investors. The award reflects the evolving role of Investment Promotion Agencies, where aftercare is no longer limited to resolving operational issues but increasingly focuses on helping investors expand, reinvest, innovate and remain competitive.

Successful aftercare requires Investment Promotion Agencies to build long-term relationships with investors, understand their evolving business needs, identify opportunities for growth, coordinate support across government and facilitate solutions that encourage continued investment and business expansion.

Recognising that investor growth is a whole-of-government effort, this award specifically recognises the distinctive contribution of the Investment Promotion Agency in supporting existing investors. While many public institutions contribute to investor success, the award seeks to recognise the leadership, coordination and value added by the IPA in helping investors grow over time.

Applications should demonstrate how the IPA has strengthened its aftercare capabilities, developed effective investor engagement approaches, worked collaboratively with government and other partners, and contributed to measurable business growth. Particular consideration will be given to initiatives that have supported business expansion, reinvestment, investor retention, innovation, supplier development, exports or other tangible business outcomes.

Applicants are encouraged to support their submissions with measurable evidence wherever possible, including expansion investments, reinvestments, employment generation, business growth, exports, innovation partnerships, supplier development, investor satisfaction or other measurable outcomes that demonstrate the impact of the IPA’s aftercare efforts.

Key dates

Submission Deadline

24th September 2026

Online applications must be submitted by this date

Awards Ceremony

10th – 12th November 2026

30th World Investment Conference (WIC 2026) Geneva, Switzerland

Awards Announcement and Presentation

The WAIPA Investment Excellence Awards 2026 are an initiative of the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) to recognise and celebrate outstanding Investment Promotion Agencies that are advancing excellence across the investment lifecycle through stronger investor services, investment facilitation, strategic sector development and investor growth. The WAIPA Investment Excellence Awards 2026 have been officially launched in mid August 2026, with applications invited from eligible WAIPA Member Investment Promotion Agencies worldwide.

Following an independent international jury evaluation process, the winners will be formally announced and honoured during the 30th World Investment Conference (WIC 2026), to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 10–12 November 2026.

Winning Investment Promotion Agencies will receive a WAIPA Investment Excellence Award Trophy and Certificate of Recognition and will be featured through WAIPA’s global communication channels, publications and events. Award-winning initiatives and good practices may also be showcased as international case studies to promote peer learning, innovation and institutional excellence across the global IPA community.

International Jury

The WAIPA Investment Excellence Awards 2026 will be evaluated by an independent international jury comprising senior experts from leading international organisations with extensive experience in investment promotion, investment facilitation, industrial development, trade, sustainable development and private sector development. The jury will assess all eligible submissions against the published evaluation criteria through a rigorous, transparent and merit-based evaluation process. The jury’s decision shall be final.

Eligibility

  • The WAIPA Investment Excellence Awards 2026 are open to members of the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA).
  • Applicants may submit one application under each of the four award categories.
  • Applications should primarily describe initiatives, practices and outcomes undertaken on or after 1 January 2023, unless otherwise specified in the relevant award category.

Awardee

One winner will be selected in each of the following categories:

  • WAIPA Investor Gateway Award
  • WAIPA Strategic Sector Development Award
  • WAIPA Excellence in Investment Facilitation Award
  • WAIPA Excellence in Aftercare & Investor Retention Award

In addition, the jury may grant up to two Special Recognition Awards to outstanding submissions from Investment Promotion Agencies in Least Developed Countries (LDCs). The Special Recognition Awards are discretionary and will only be granted where submissions demonstrate a high standard of achievement and merit recognition.

 

Submission & Evaluation Process

  • Each award category has a dedicated online application form and evaluation criteria.
  • Applications must be completed in English and submitted electronically through the WAIPA Investment Excellence Awards Portal.
  • Each IPA may submit one application per award category.
  • Applicants are encouraged to attach supporting documents, reports, presentations, publications, case studies or other materials that help substantiate the application.
  • All submissions will undergo an initial eligibility and completeness review by the WAIPA Secretariat.
  • Eligible applications will be evaluated by an independent international jury through a transparent, rigorous and merit-based evaluation process.
  • Applications will be assessed against the published evaluation criteria for each award category.
  • The highest-scoring submission in each category will be selected as the winner.
  • The decisions of the international jury shall be final.

Contact

For any questions regarding the awards programme, please contact:

World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA)
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.waipa.org