Photography has long been a medium for storytelling, capturing moments that speak to our collective humanity. On this World Photography Day, we shine the light on ten African female photographers who are not only masters of their craft but also pioneers in using their art to challenge perceptions and amplify voices that often go unheard. These women have transformed the lens into a tool for social change, offering powerful narratives that reflect the complexities, beauty, and resilience of life across Africa. Through their perspectives, they continue to shape and redefine the visual narrative of Africa.
Aisha Augie Kuta
Aisha Augie-Kuta is a prominent Nigerian photographer, filmmaker, and the Director-General at the Centre for Black and African Arts and Culture (CBAAC). Hailing from northern Nigeria, she has made significant contributions to documentary, fashion, and aerial photography, focusing on gender and identity. Her photography journey began with a camera gifted by her father, leading to a successful career. Aisha has held key roles, including Special Adviser on Digital Communications Strategy to the Minister of Finance and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Kebbi State on New Media. She co-founded the Nigerian photography collective Photowagon, is the vice-president of Women in Film and Television in Nigeria (WIFTIN), and has won multiple awards, including Creative Artist of the Year at The Future Awards (2011). She is also the first female politician to contest the House of Representatives primaries for Argungu-Augie Federal Constituency in Kebbi State.
Ifeoma Onyefulu
Ifeoma Onyefulu is a Nigerian children’s author, novelist, and photographer, renowned for her picture books that portray African village life through her photography. Born in Onitsha, Anambra State, Onyefulu moved to the UK in 1982. Initially enrolled in a business management course, she shifted her focus to photography after training in Earls Court, Britain. She began her career as a staff photographer for the Caribbean Times and transitioned into writing in 1991, influenced by her experiences as a mother. Her debut book, A is for Africa, received critical acclaim and was recognized as one of Child Education’s Best Information Books. Onyefulu has won the Children’s Africana Book Award twice for Here Comes Our Bride! (2004) and Ikenna Goes to Nigeria (2007). Her work, celebrated for its authentic representation of African culture, continues to inspire young readers globally.
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Lola Akinmade Akerstrom
Based in Stockholm, Sweden, Lola Akinmade Åkerström is a Nigerian travel photographer, storyteller, and author who captures the essence of cultures and landscapes worldwide. Originally from Lagos, Nigeria, she moved to the U.S. at 15 and earned a master’s degree in Geographic Information Systems from the University of Maryland. Her work has appeared in major publications like National Geographic and BBC, and she has collaborated with brands such as Dove and Mercedes Benz. Åkerström has been recognized as a Hasselblad Heroine and named the 2018 Bill Muster Travel Photographer of the Year. In addition to her photography, her books, including Everything is Not Enough, are published in 18 languages and earned an NAACP Award nomination. She is also the editor-in-chief of Slow Travel Stockholm and runs the Geotraveler Media Academy.
Renée Cox
Celebrated for her bold and transformative approach to art, Renée Cox, has made an indelible impact on contemporary art. As a specialist in film and digital portraiture, Cox uses her skills to capture identities and beauty within her subjects and herself. Her groundbreaking work, including notable pieces like Queen Nanny of the Maroons and Yo Mama’s Last Supper, explores themes of identity, race, and feminism with a fearless creativity. Her art has been showcased in prestigious venues such as the Venice Biennale and the Brooklyn Museum of Art. Beyond her artistic achievements, Cox has also made significant contributions as a curator and fashion photographer. Her thought-provoking work continues to inspire and engage audiences worldwide, cementing her status as a leading figure in modern art.
Neo Ntsoma
Neo Ntsoma, is a South African photographer known for her impactful work in photojournalism, portraiture, and popular culture. Specialising in film and digital portraiture, Neo captures both the beauty and the complexity of her subjects with a distinctive approach. Growing up in apartheid-era South Africa, she was deeply inspired to enter the field of photography to challenge the negative portrayals of black South Africans and address the underrepresentation of women in media. Neo’s career began with a focus on film and television at Peninsula Technikon, leading to her eventual breakthrough as a photographer despite numerous challenges. Her innovative work, characterised by unconventional angles and a unique perspective on focus, has earned her numerous accolades, including the prestigious CNN African Journalist of the Year Prize in Photography and the Mohamed Amin Award, making her the first woman to receive this honour. In addition to her artistic achievements, Neo is a dedicated mentor, guiding emerging photojournalists and contributing to the global recognition of African art.
Fati Abubakar
Fati Abubakar is a distinguished Nigerian documentary photographer, photojournalist, and public health worker from Borno State. Witnessing the devastation wrought by Boko Haram in her home region, Fati dedicated herself to portraying stories that extend beyond the violence, capturing the resilience and strength of survivors through her lens. Her work focuses on rural and social development, highlighting both the challenges and triumphs within communities. Fati’s photography, including her acclaimed project Bits of Borno, has been featured in prominent media outlets such as the New York Times, BBC, Reuters, CNN, and more. She is known for her commitment to documenting urban poverty, rural development, and humanitarian issues, creating counter-narratives for underrepresented communities. Her efforts have also earned her commissions from organisations like UNICEF, International Alert, and ActionAid.
Angèle Etoundi Essamba
Angèle Etoundi Essamba is well-known for her transformative approach to photography, which redefines Black female identity and challenges prevailing stereotypes. Born in Cameroon and educated in France and the Netherlands, Essamba embarked on her artistic career with her debut exhibition in Amsterdam in 1985. Her work stands out for its powerful portrayal of Black women as active, proud, and resilient, countering the passive and exoticized representations often seen in Western media. By focusing on pride, strength, and awareness, Essamba captures the essence of her subjects in a way that is both visually striking and socially impactful. Her photography, which has over 200 global exhibitions, including major Biennales, and is featured in esteemed collections such as MoMA in New York, continues to offer a bold challenge to Eurocentric narratives and celebrates the dignity of Black women.
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TY Bello
Popular for her exceptional work both behind the camera and in humanitarian efforts, TY Bello has made a significant impact in the fields of photography and philanthropy. Born Toyin Sokefun-Bello in Ogun State, Nigeria, she initially gained fame as a member of the gospel group Kush before venturing into a solo career in music and photography. Bello’s photography career is marked by her role as the official photographer for former President Goodluck Jonathan and her contributions to Thisday fashion magazine. She is celebrated for her humanitarian work, notably through her NGO, Link-a-Child, which organises annual exhibitions to support orphans. Bello also played a pivotal role in the rise of Olajumoke Orisaguna, a bread seller who became a model and businesswoman, thanks to her discovery and promotion.
Esther Ruth Mbabazi
Self-taught photojournalist and storyteller, Esther Ruth Mbabazi, based in Kampala, Uganda, is renowned for her exploration of evolving conditions across the African continent. Her work examines the social, economic, physical, and emotional facets of daily life. A National Geographic Explorer and a past VII Agency mentee, Mbabazi is also a Magnum Foundation Grantee and Fellow. Her contributions to Everyday Africa and her participation in the World Press Photo Masterclass East Africa highlight her impact in the field. She has been recognized with the inaugural Young Photographer Award from the Uganda Press Photo Award. Mbabazi’s images have been featured in major publications including the New York Times, National Geographic, Time magazine, the Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal, and she has received commissions from various international non-governmental organisations.
Yagazie Emezi
Self-taught Nigerian artist and documentary photographer Yagazie Emezi explores themes of health, sexuality, education, and human rights through her work, which has been featured in major publications like Al Jazeera, the New York Times, Vogue, and National Geographic. Since starting her career in 2015, she has used photography and sculpture to critique Nigeria’s socio-political issues and the media’s role in shaping narratives. Yagazie’s project, “Relearning Bodies”,initiated in 2017, examines how trauma survivors adapt to their new bodies, focusing on the cultural and natural patterns of scars. Her work extends to marine conservation with Sea Shepherd and addressing sexual violence with a U.S. Consulate grant. A National Geographic Explorer Grantee and Canon ambassador, Yagazie continues to influence the global art and photojournalism landscape.
This year’s theme, An Entire Day, encourages us to take a moment, or several, to capture the beauty in our everyday lives. Whether you are using a professional camera or simply your smartphone, spend the entire day creating and cherishing memories.
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