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Africa Soft Power Reveals the Recipient of the 2024 Climate Change Photo Essay Prize

This article is brought to you by Africa Soft Power Group

The overall victor of the 2024 Climate Change Photo Essay Prize has been announced as Garba Bakura from Nigeria. The judging process, which remained anonymised and was conducted over two rounds, was meticulously designed to ensure fairness and accuracy across various criteria. His thought-provoking piece In Search for A Drop illustrates the growing significance of water and the systems that transport it in supporting farming communities that are now entirely encircled by desert.

Alongside Bakura, four additional finalists will be featured in the exhibition:

Ahmed Abubakar Bature (Nigeria): After the Waters: Tales of Flood, Displacement, and Resilience;

Jules Munyantore (Rwanda): Caught in the Tide of Change;

Adedolapo Boluwatife Abimbola (Nigeria): Invitation to Invade; and

David Olayide (Nigeria): Zero Green.

Additionally, four submissions have received high commendations. These include:

Edgar Kanyike (Uganda): Lake Victoria – aka Nalubaale – Takes Over;

Aida Namukose (Kenya): Men of the Water;

Cheikh Oumar Diallo (Senegal): Victim or Responsible; and

Hamadomo Timothe Guindo (Mali): Architecture Traditionnelle.

Increasing Urgency, Shifting Perspectives

Now in its second year, the prize encourages individuals aged 18-30 from Africa and its diaspora to submit 3-5 photographs that collectively portray the effects of climate change on our world today. This year’s theme, “At a Crossroad: Climate and Change,” also stresses the importance of Africa-centric narratives within the global sustainability dialogue – an area that is often viewed through a western lens, despite Africa’s long-standing presence on the frontlines of social and environmental change.

“African insights on climate change are crucial, particularly those from young people, as these issues will increasingly impact their daily lives,” remarked Nkiru Balonwu, founder of the ASP Group. “Bakura’s work was perceived by the judges as exceptional; nonetheless, all finalists – and many works that did not make it to the final exhibition – showcased an incredibly high standard, which made our selection process quite challenging. This year, we received an overwhelming number of entries, and the clear desire to voice concerns on this vital topic was evident.”

Expert Evaluation

The judging panel consisted of five experts, each with a diverse background and expertise:

Adenrele Sonariwo (Nigeria): Founder, Rele Gallery & Rele Art Foundation;

Mario Macilau (Mozambique): Multi-Disciplinary Artist and Activist

Paula Moreno (Colombia): Founder, Corporación Manos Visibles

Kojo Boakye (Ghana): VP, Public Policy, Africa, Middle East and Türkiye, META and

Adriana Barbosa (Brazil): Founder & CEO, PretaHub.

The choice of photography as a medium was deliberate, owing to its power to communicate universally regarding a global challenge that necessitates collaboration across demographics. Moreover, the increasing visual language used by young people on social media highlights photography as an ideal starting point for engaging them in active discussions on this critical issue.

In addition to being part of the international exhibition, Bakura will receive a cash prize for his winning entry, along with broader media support to promote his work. All contest entrants retain complete copyright over their submissions.

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