Open Calls and Unpublished Africa White Papers

Here's your weekly guide to African photographers, exhibitions, and creative opportunities.

Author

Unpublished Africa
February 16, 2026

Welcome to African Visual Storyteller! Your weekly guide to African photographers, exhibitions, and creative opportunities.

This space exists to support visibility, connection, and real pathways for African creatives. Thank you for being part of our growing ecosystem.

African Visual Storyteller of the Week #43

Our featured storyteller this week is Nkatha 🇰🇪

Nkatha ( Kenya ) - From a series called "Nairobae, a Cinematic Love Letter To The City Under The Sun." ( Taken during the Unpublished Africa Nairobi Photo Walk.), 2026

Thank You for Your Submissions

Thank you to everyone who submitted work to the Bakashimika Photography Festival Call Out and the Women’s Month Exhibition Call Out. We appreciate the time, effort, and professionalism that goes into preparing and sharing your work. Your submissions make these opportunities possible and help strengthen the network of photographers engaging with Unpublished Africa.

Unpublished Africa White Papers

Distributed Cultural Infrastructure in Practice documenting how Unpublished Africa Photo Week

Over the past 2 years, we have been a testing a different way of building cultural infrastructure.

We've now released our latest white paper on Distributed Cultural Infrastructure in Practice documenting how Unpublished Africa Photo Week expanded from in-person activations in 3 cities to 15 cities across 9 African countries.

Access the Paper: https://www.unpublished.africa/unpublishedafricaphotoweek2025paper

More of our White Papers:

"I'd Be Empowered If... " - Unlocking True Empowerment for Africa Women in Photography

This white paper, created alongside the "I'd Be Empowered If" 2025 exhibition examines the complexities of empowerment. As stated in the abstract, structural barriers impede access to resources, hindering progress. We explore how photography, as seen in this exhibition, can be a powerful tool for change, redefining narratives and promoting equity.

Upcoming Photo Walks

Jos Photo Walk

🇳🇬 Join our 3rd Jos Photo Walk this February:

Join our Creative Conversations (Live on X Spaces)

How to Present Your Work for Institutional Support:

  • 🗓️ Tuesday 17 February 2026

  • ⏰ 7 PM CAT | 6 PM WAT | 8 PM EAT

  • 📍 X Spaces (@unpub_africa)

Other Opportunities:

Help Us Improve What We’re Building

If you’ve joined an Unpublished Africa photo walk, exhibition, programme, or conversation, we’d really appreciate a quick Google rating and review.

It takes a few minutes, and it goes a long way in helping us build better infrastructure for African creatives.

👉 Leave a review here: https://g.page/r/CYo40kkDN_4UEBM/review

Thank you for being part of the journey and for helping shape what comes next.

➡️ Share this newsletter with a friend or colleague interested in the African creative economy!

Thank you for continuing to build with us.

More conversations, walks, and opportunities ahead.

— Unpublished Africa