The RISE Africa Annual Photography  Showcase encourages imaginative and novel thinking to collectively envision the futures of African cities. It aims to promote citizen photography and grassroots storytelling, as well as curated photo-journalism, as a way to excite and encourage citizens and decision makers about their homes. The resulting photography entries will be used to elicit ideas from city officials, urbanists, decision-makers, private sector and civil society who will explore and engage with the exhibition through a number of workshops. These annual showcases intend to produce realistic, novel and positive demonstrations of Africa which are curated from within.

In order to achieve this, ICLEI Africa will be running an annual photography competition to which anyone who is passionate about the future of African cities is encouraged to contribute. Each year there will be a new theme to explore key thematic areas of RISE Africa. See thematic areas here.

Over the years, RISE Africa has grown a platform and a community that fosters connection. For the fifth RISE Africa Photography Competition, we are celebrating places of connection in our cities: spaces where we come together to share our diverse backgrounds, experiences and abilities; spaces where we shape our urban environments, and where they shape us. These spaces extend from intimate homes to neighbourhoods and beyond; from the mobilised bodies and motorised wheels on rushing streets to the interwoven urban ecologies of flowing rivers, forests and further naturescapes; from secret hidden nooks to broad public arenas; from the familiar bazaars and markets of daily life to environments that unexpectedly challenge our routines. From sites steeped in history to places in-the-making, Where We Gather represents the many thrumming heartbeats of our cities, shaping their rhythm, form and identity.

Just as our continent’s myriad cultures and traditions embody deep ties between ourselves, our ancestors and land itself, so, too, do our collective visions for prosperous cities manifest in physical space. Amidst the temptation to adopt outside visions as our own, the purposeful pursuit of uniquely African forms of urbanism continuously demonstrates more appropriate, meaningful and lasting imagery and realities, grounded in our own soil, and tangling with the tangible elements of people’s everyday lives. In 2025, RISE Africa invited photographers from across the continent to showcase the parts of their cities that actively foster gathering and shared experience among their residents. These spaces contribute to prosperous urban futures through their power to connect us and build shared identities; they consistently affirm that joy lives here. 

Every day, millions of Africans already connect with one another across a multitude of urban landscapes. This showcase displays the emerging and unexpected spaces that both inspire and manifest our dreams, where people gather in shared purpose around new ideas, initiatives and ways of being to create more equitable, sustainable and empowering African cities.

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.“