RISE Africa 2025 Photo Competition Exhibition

Doaa Adel | @doaa.adel__

Location: Cairo, Luxor and Qena, Egypt
Title: Mawlid Celebrations in Egypt

“Mawlid celebrations in Egypt are vibrant and deeply rooted in Sufi traditions. These festivals, held in honour of saints, blend religious devotion with folkloric festivities. Key features of the celebration include Al-Hadra, a spiritual gathering where Sufi chants, drumming, and rhythmic movements create an atmosphere of deep devotion. Al-Mirmah is an equestrian display where skilled horse riders showcase their agility and bravery. Al-Tahtib, an ancient stick-fighting game, demonstrates strength and skill in a ceremonial performance. Meanwhile, the festival atmosphere is enriched with swings and amusement rides for children, food stalls, and vibrant markets, making Mawlids a blend of spirituality, heritage, and communal joy.“

Solomon Tetteh | @SolomonJnr

Location: Greater Accra, Ghana
Title: We Gather to Unite

“Greater Accra is the capital city of Ghana and is rich with beautiful lifestyles, cultures, festivals and events that ultimately unite the people of the country.

United by sports, youths in a community gather for a football match at the Park.

United by culture, men pour libation before the king makes his way to the grounds during the annual Homowo Festival.

United for work, a group of fishermen come together to help bring in a vessel with its catch.

United to demonstrate, a gathering of angry youths takes to the streets to protest against Galemsey (illegal gold-mining) for clean water and a stop to the destruction of vegetation and water bodies in Ghana.“

Ayorinde Ogundele | @the.photograbber

Location: Badagry, Lagos, Nigeria
Title: Beyond the Borderline

“The Ogu-Weme festival is an annual event in celebration of unity and heritage held in Badagry, a border town between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin. It involves the convergence of the Ogu (sometimes referred to as Gun, Ogun or Egun) people of Badagry in the south-western region of Nigeria and the Weme people of Ouémé, a department in south-eastern Benin named after the Republic’s largest river. Cultural displays abound in the parade of the Zangbeto Masquerade, beating of the Satọ drum and rigorous dancing and performance by numerous traditionalists. It reinforces bonds in shared dedication and the preservation of centuries of culture by people who understand that they remain one, irrespective of centuries of war, migrations and the imaginary lines drawn at the border.“

Yawo Enok Tsevi | @enok_tsevi

Location: Lomé, Togo
Title: Les filets de la survie // The Nets of Survival

“Au port de pêche de Lomé (Habo), la pêche est bien plus qu’un métier : c’est une tradition, un combat quotidien contre la mer et un pilier de survie. Ce lieu vital réunit pêcheurs, marchands et familles, faisant vivre toute une communauté. Cette série de photos dévoile des fragments du quotidien des pêcheurs du port de Lomé, entre résilience et héritage.
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At the fishing port of Lomé (Habo), fishing is much more than a profession: it’s a tradition, a daily battle against the sea, and a pillar of survival. This vital place brings together fishermen, merchants, and families, supporting an entire community. This series of photos reveals fragments of the daily lives of the fishermen of the port of Lomé, a blend of resilience and heritage.“

John Moussa Kalapo  | @johnkalapo

Location: Bamako, Djenné and Mopti , Mali
Title: Unity and Solidarity

“In Mali, meeting places are essential spaces for encounters and mutual enrichment. They provide people with the opportunity to meet, share their experiences, and forge strong bonds, despite the diversity of their origins and backgrounds. These spaces allow people to compare ideas, exchange knowledge, and cultivate shared values in a spirit of respect and understanding.

These places play a crucial role in creating a convivial atmosphere. They encourage relaxation and the formation of social connections, while providing an environment conducive to personal and collective fulfilment. By pooling talents and skills, these places become hubs of collaboration and innovation, where people create together in harmony.

What’s more, these spaces allow everyone to express themselves freely, to discuss their daily lives, share personal concerns, and even secrets, often family secrets. In a warm and caring atmosphere, everyone feels heard and supported. These moments of sharing are not only opportunities for exchange but also moments when solidarity and mutual support take root, strengthening social cohesion.

In short, these gathering places are much more than physical spaces: they are the beating heart of unity and solidarity, helping to forge deep and lasting bonds between members of the community.“

Emmanuel Adegboye | @adefolarinadegboye_

Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Title: Slum Party

“This body of work explores the Slum Party in Lagos, a vibrant cultural phenomenon that embodies the spirit of gathering and connection in urban spaces. Set against the backdrop of a densely populated neighbourhood often defined by societal challenges, the project delves into how people reclaim these environments to foster community, creativity, and joy.

Through raw and dynamic imagery, it captures moments where music, fashion, and art converge, transforming overlooked spaces into hubs of cultural expression. The work interrogates how urban landscapes are not only shaped by structures but by the people who gather within them. In these makeshift venues, diverse individuals connect, share stories, and celebrate their collective identities.

By documenting this spirited reclamation of space, this body of work becomes a testament to the transformative power of gathering, revealing the unbound possibilities that emerge when communities come together.“

Norkor Nortey | @norkor.nortey

Location: Tema, Ghana
Title: In Sacred Space

“Places of worship function as spaces for people to connect with a higher power and others in their community, and the church is no different. Despite the gender inequality in higher leadership, women have always been involved in growing and sustaining church communities on the continent, through their service and attendance. We can find solace, empowerment, healing, strength and sisterhood when we gather in religious spaces, in all seasons of life. The Greenwich Meridian Congregation of the Presbyterian Church, situated in Tema Community 1, is one such place. With women as the majority of congregants, this church is co-led by a female ordained minister, Reverend Georgina Boateng. As a demographic that has historically been poorly represented and underappreciated, this series of images documents women’s faith, dedication and commitment to the church.” 

Amira Adel AbdelMonem Badr | @amiraadel93

Location: Chefchaouen, Morocco
Title: Beyond the Blue: Life in Shared Spaces

“Nestled in the Rif Mountains, the blue-washed alleys of Chefchaouen, Morocco, are more than just a scenic backdrop—they are the heart of human connection. In these shared spaces, life unfolds naturally as people come together. Children transform narrow passages into soccer fields, their laughter echoing through the streets. Elders gather in familiar corners, exchanging stories and wisdom beneath the shade. The market, a vibrant social hub, hums with the voices of merchants and shoppers, where trade is as much about conversation as it is about goods. Travelers and locals cross paths, bridging cultures through shared moments.

These photographs capture the spirit of human connection in Chefchaouen—where traditions endure, stories are shared, and the walls themselves seem to listen. Whether through play, trade, or simple companionship, this city’s communal spaces remind us that urban life is built on the moments we share together.“

Ene Ochayi | @enny_cinema

Location: Swange Cinema, Makurdi, Nigeria
Title: Echos of Swange

“Once a thriving hub of entertainment, Swange Cinema was among Benue’s most celebrated gathering spaces in the 1970s. Capable of hosting over a thousand people, it brought communities together for films, sports, and shared moments of joy. Today, it stands in silence, a testament to the rise of modern technology that has reshaped how we experience entertainment. Yet, its sturdy structure remains—a symbol of an era when cinema was at the heart of communal life. Swange Cinema now serves as a temporary museum, a space where future generations can connect with the past and reflect on how gathering places evolve over time. In its stillness, it whispers stories of laughter, anticipation, and the bonds it once nurtured.“

Daniel Sekyi Attah  

Location: Concert hall, Accra, Ghana
Title: Konnect-cert

“In the heart of the city, music brings people together. The concert is a celebration of sound, rhythm, and community. Strangers become friends, swaying to the same beat. The music resonates deep within, creating a shared experience. From afrobeat to R&B, the concert is a kaleidoscope of sounds. Music becomes a living, breathing entity, pulsing with the energy of the crowd. In this moment, we are one, united by our love of music and our quest for connection.“

Leornardo Cabuico | @leo.thoms

Location: Luanda, Angola
Title: City ​​in the Eyes of the Poet

“In Luanda, those heading down Prenda Road know the feeling of walking toward the golden sun that embraces the city. The light paints the buildings, the tin-roofed houses, the roads, and the scattered forests, creating a unique flow that breathes life into this land.

Luanda is a constant encounter—where our lives intertwine and drift apart, shaped by this fusion of contrasts that defines who we are and what we do. And if, in the background, a good semba plays—the kind only our people know how to create—the moment becomes even more magical. A perfect invitation to capture in a photograph the vibrant essence of our city.“

Abener Jerene | @Abener_eyuel

Location: Jugol, the Fortified Historic Town
Title: Harar, the Living Museum

“Harar is one of the ancient cities in Ethiopia. Within, a wall surrounds the Fortified Historic Town of Jugol. This beautiful city still stands with its marketplace alive. The women dressed in colourful dresses make the already beautiful city more captivating. This series seeks to capture the bustling atmosphere of Harar.“