Photography is more than taking beautiful pictures. It allows people to preserve memories, document everyday life and tell their communities’ stories in their own way.
In Côte d’Ivoire, Africa Foto Fair is creating a bigger stage for photographers from Africa and beyond. Founded by Ethiopian photographer Aïda Muluneh, the festival brings exhibitions, education and public activities to local audiences.
A stage for African perspectives
The fair helps African photographers present their own experiences instead of allowing the continent to be seen mainly through outside perspectives.
Its 2024 edition in Abobo, Abidjan, welcomed 67 photographers from 31 countries. According to The Guardian, attendance reached 11,810 people—an increase of 47% compared with the previous edition.
The programme extended beyond exhibitions. It included photography workshops for children, portfolio reviews for emerging artists, literacy activities and community health screenings.
Taking art closer to the community
In 2025, the fourth Africa Foto Fair expanded to Grand-Bassam, a UNESCO World Heritage city in Côte d’Ivoire.
The programme featured more than 70 artists, alongside lectures, workshops, film screenings and activities for young people. Emerging Ivorian photographers were also given space to exhibit their work alongside established international artists.
By holding activities in accessible public and cultural spaces, the fair helps people encounter photography who may not regularly visit traditional galleries.
Building skills and opportunities
Africa Foto Fair is not only celebrating finished photographs. It is helping young creatives learn, meet experienced professionals and understand how artistic talent can develop into a career.
Portfolio reviews and workshops give emerging photographers practical guidance. Exhibitions allow them to reach new audiences, while collaboration with other artists can lead to future opportunities.
The fair also strengthens Côte d’Ivoire’s growing reputation as a centre for African art and creativity.
Africans telling African stories
The most important part of the initiative is ownership. African photographers are documenting their own families, neighbourhoods, cultures and changing societies.
Their pictures show that Africa is not one single story. It is a continent filled with different experiences, identities and creative voices.
By helping photographers control how their communities are represented, Africa Foto Fair is building confidence as well as artistic opportunity.
That is real progress: Africans using creativity to tell their own stories and allowing the world to see the continent through their eyes.
Real People. Real Progress. Real Africa.
Sources: The Guardian, 17 December 2024; PhotoVogue, 28 November 2025.
Leave a Reply