GLF Africa 2026 Photography Awards – Capture Landscapes, Climate & People

The GLF Africa 2026 Photography Awards is an exciting visual storytelling competition held in conjunction with the Global Landscapes Forum’s Africa 2026 event. This prestigious contest celebrates powerful photography that captures landscape restoration, climate action, sustainable development and community resilience across Africa.

Photographers of all levels — professionals, amateurs, youth and emerging artists — are encouraged to submit compelling visuals that reflect the beauty, challenges, diversity and transformation of Africa’s landscapes and people.

 What the Awards Are About

The GLF Africa Photography Awards aim to:

• Highlight impactful stories of nature and communities
• Inspire global audiences through visual narratives
• Promote awareness of environmental and social issues
• Celebrate cultural heritage and resilience across African regions

Winning images not only gain recognition but also become part of a larger conversation at the GLF Africa summit, driving attention toward sustainable landscapes and climate solutions.

 Who Can Participate

The awards welcome submissions from:

• Emerging and established photographers
• Students and youth with photography passion
• Community photographers documenting local change
• Visual storytellers sharing climate, nature, or people-centred themes

Participation is open to anyone who can visually reflect the theme through creativity, authenticity and depth.

 Award Categories

Submissions are typically grouped in themes such as:

• Landscape & Nature
• People & Communities
• Climate Action in Africa
• Cultural Heritage and Identity
• Youth Innovations & Environmental Stewardship

These categories celebrate different aspects of Africa’s landscapes and the people working to protect, restore and sustain them.

 Submission Guidelines

Photographers are usually required to:

• Submit original photographs aligned with the competition theme
• Include concise captions or short narrative explaining each image
• Ensure digital files meet size and quality specifications
• Respect ethical standards and secure permission for identifiable subjects

Awards organisers emphasise storytelling — the stories behind the lens matter as much as the visuals themselves.

 Recognition & Impact

Winners of the GLF Africa Photography Awards receive:

• Recognition at the GLF Africa 2026 event
• Inclusion in exhibitions, publications or media features
• Opportunity to connect with global climate, landscape and arts communities
• Enhanced visibility for their work and conservation narratives

These awards help elevate voices and perspectives that might otherwise go unheard, bringing local realities to global platforms.

 Why It Matters

Photography can be a transformative tool for understanding environmental, cultural and social change. The GLF Africa Photography Awards amplify visual narratives that:

• Inspire climate action
• Increase awareness of landscape challenges and solutions
• Support community-led conservation efforts
• Celebrate resilience and innovation across Africa

By linking photography with sustainable development goals, this initiative helps bridge art, science and advocacy.