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ABUJA – The 9th edition of the Abuja International Photo Festival (AIPF) will hold from October 29 to 31, 2025, at the Exhibition Pavilion by the Abuja International Conference Centre, with the theme “A World Connected.”
Speaking at a press conference on Friday in Abuja ahead of the event, the festival’s founder, Osaze Efe, said the AIPF has become one of Africa’s foremost platforms for creative dialogue and youth empowerment through visual storytelling.
Efe explained that the 2025 theme, “A World Connected,” reflects the festival’s belief in the power of images to link people and ideas across borders.
“In an era defined by both digital connection and social fragmentation, photography remains a tool of truth, empathy, and hope,” he said.
Over the years, the festival has mentored more than 500 photographers, many of whom now earn a living through photography in an industry valued at over ₦250 billion.
This year’s edition is expected to attract more than 1,500 photographers and feature over 170 images from artists representing 22 countries. The three-day event will include exhibitions, panel discussions, workshops, awards, and photo walks exploring themes such as identity, environment, migration, and human connection.
Among the notable speakers and facilitators are Aisha Augie, Director-General of the Centre for Black and African Arts & Civilization (CBAAC); Henry “Big H” Oji; Belinda Holden of the Yinka Shonibare Foundation; and Ed Kashi, an American National Geographic photographer.
Key sessions will focus on topics including “Women Evolving Through the Lens,” “Faces Beyond Date – Using Imagery to Advocate for Children Who Are Victims of Crimes and Drug Abuse,” “Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality and the Future of Visual Narratives,” and “The Role of Photojournalism in Combating Misinformation.”
The festival will also feature workshops and capacity-building sessions for emerging photographers, the launch of the Emerging Photographer Grants to support early-career talents, and community engagement projects designed to empower youth and underrepresented communities.
The 2025 edition enjoys institutional support from UNESCO, EINAO Solutions, the Embassy of Sweden, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Maubbys, and the Office of the Special Assistant to the President on Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy.
Organizers said the continued support of these partners underscores the festival’s growing recognition as a global cultural hub for dialogue and creativity.
Media organizations, journalists, and photo editors have been invited to cover the event, with accredited journalists granted access to exclusive interviews, exhibition previews, and behind-the-scenes stories.
Established in 2017, the Abuja International Photo Festival continues to promote visual literacy, cultural exchange, and creative collaboration across Africa and beyond.
