By Abdi Ali
Published June 2, 2016
An all-Africa photography competition focusing on Africa’s rapid modernization invites amateur and professional photographers to submit their work for consideration.
Agility Africa, the organisers of the contest–Africa 2016 Photo Competition–that marks its second annual edition in 2016, say they they are looking for images that “inspire and illustrate the breathtaking pace of change across modern Africa.” The work shall be judged in three categories: Cities, Industry and Technology.
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“The competition seeks to highlight the progress and development on a continent of contrasts, documenting an Africa booming with youthful consumers, new technology, urbanizing populations and promising economic prospects,” a media statement from Agility says.
“Africa’s modern spirit and rapid evolution are obvious to those of us doing business there every day,”says Geoffrey White, CEO of Agility Africa. “It’ important for the rest of the world to recognize the drive, ambition and creativity powering development across the continent. The Africa 2016 Photo Competition is one way we can bring attention to it.”
The call for submission shall remain open June 1-September 1, 2016.
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Agility Africa say they will award a “US$2000 cash prize to the winner of each of three categories. A further US$2000 grand cash prize will go to the photographer who shoots the overall winning image, deemed to best illustrate development and growth across Africa.”
Saying “The winning photographs will be shown on a CNBC Africa telecast and published in Forbes Africa and be featured in Agility social media, promotions and advertising,” Agility says “The competition will be judged by an independent panel consisting of Sneha Shah, Managing Director of Thomson Reuters Africa; Bronwyn Nielsen, Executive Director of the Africa Business News Group and Editor-in-Chief of CNBC Africa; and Salim Amin, Chairman of Africa 24 Media and Camerapix.”
The Africa 2015 Photo Competition drew 700 entries submitted by photographers in 33 countries. Winning entries were dramatic images that captured the capital city of Luanda, Angola; wheat fields in Kenya; and a child holding a smart phone in Uganda.
“Across our Africa business, we’re seeing the impact infrastructure improvements and technology are making in African life,” White says. “The contest is an engaging way for us to try to reflect the modernization we see, from sustainable farming to manufacturing to energy production. Our hope is that perceptions of Africa will become more balanced, and people elsewhere will come to see Africa as an increasingly significant contributor to the world economy.”
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Agility Africa say they are not only investing in Africa but that they are committed to building new logistics capacity and infrastructure to support the development of global and SME businesses across the continent. The company’s strategy is also said to include a strong social and environmental programme, focused on education, training and health.
Details on Africa 2016 Photo Competition are available on the Africa-2016.com website.
Meanwhile, Nairobi Art Centre is receiving art for its contest for students till June 11, 2016.
The organisation, that marks 10 years of its existence, appeals to the public to “Encourage your young artists to participate. To vote, look out for the album, ‘Student Art Contest’, and like your favorite painting on Nairobi Art Centre Facebook Page.”
