Africa No Filter

Words can preserve memory, challenge silence, and spark transformation. Placide Konan has built his artistic journey around that belief. Ivorian writer and slam poet, Placide Konan became Côte d’Ivoire’s first National Slam Poetry Champion in 2016, using the stage as more than a place for performance, but as a space for truth, reflection, and collective awakening. Today, he serves as Vice President of the Ivorian Federation of Slam Poetry and President of the School of Poets of Côte d’Ivoire. Through powerful storytelling and vivid imagery, his work explores memory as a path to liberation while confronting social injustice and inspiring deeper awareness of Africa’s realities and possibilities. A recipient of several slam and poetry awards, Placide Konan continues to inspire a new generation of African artists using culture, language, and storytelling to reshape narratives across the continent. 🌍🎤 Find his works here : https://lnkd.in/d298NBCT #africannarrativecollective #africanofilter #betterstories

This week’s funding opportunities for African storytellers and creatives. Tag someone who should apply. 1.Ready to take a collaborative project to the next level? Pro Helvetia is funding equal-partnership artistic co-creations between Swiss artists and those in regions covered by their liaison offices (including across Africa): 👉🏾 Full support for artist fees, travel, and production costs 👉🏾 Additional childcare support (up to CHF 1,000/month) for artists with care responsibilities 👉🏾 Open to all disciplines for projects starting after October 1st Deadline: 1 September 🔗: https://lnkd.in/dyc4XT7X 2.Tell the stories that matter. Getty Images is offering support for photographers documenting the most pressing social and cultural issues in Africa: 👉🏾 $5,000 grants to support long-term projects 👉🏾 Editorial mentorship and global distribution opportunities 👉🏾 Unrestricted funds for field costs and production Deadline: 15 June 🔗: https://lnkd.in/dujxvdB 3.Recognizing excellence in social justice reporting. If your lens or pen has uncovered truth and impacted your community, it’s time to be rewarded: 👉🏾 Cash prizes and international study tours 👉🏾 High-level recognition for courage and innovation 👉🏾 Open to photojournalism, editorial cartooning, and digital media Deadline: 24 July 🔗: https://wscij.org 4.Celebrating 31 years of linguistic diversity! The Pendoring Awards are calling for creators who use indigenous languages to craft powerful advertising, media, and communication: 👉🏾 Recognition across Film, Radio, Digital, Design, and Print 👉🏾 Special categories for students and independent creators 👉🏾 Global platform for indigenous language storytelling and innovation Deadline: 28 August (Save on fees by applying before 1 August) 🔗: https://lnkd.in/dH63XcX 5.Live and work in the heart of Paris. This residency program is specifically designed to support African artists in developing new research or production phases: 👉🏾 Monthly living allowance and fully equipped studio 👉🏾 Access to a network of 300+ artists from around the world 👉🏾 Dedicated support for project development in France Deadline: 30 June 🔗: https://lnkd.in/eprwwEGc 6.Are you a storyteller challenging power? The Bertha Fellowship supports activists and storytellers working together on a specific theme: 👉🏾 $10,000 production budget for your project 👉🏾 Paid monthly stipend and travel costs 👉🏾 Specialized training in investigative video and impact strategy Deadline: 10 July 🔗: https://lnkd.in/dre5mHdA

Here's a weekly round up of stories about Africa’s progress, innovation, and opportunity, produced by @birdstoryagency 1. African countries have turned to gold to strengthen their economies and reduce their dependence on foreign currencies, while central banks have linked gold refining to reserve management. Read more: https://lnkd.in/d9mKJrPn 2. In a quiet workspace in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Feven Tsehaye watches a bundle of wild-harvested herbs being sorted by hand after being air-dried to preserve their volatile oils. The result is a sensory alchemy of golden skincare oils ansd herbal teas that carry the history of the Ethiopian highlands. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dQKZBw8T 3. A growing cultural initiative in southeastern Nigeria has forged new connections between Nigerians and Latin Americans through music, language, and shared history. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dukMp8Gy 4. African banks are changing how ATMs have traditionally worked, shifting cash access into retail networks. The shift is not an exit from cash but a restructuring of the systems that support it into a more distributed network. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ds_gT_Xm 5. African countries are positioning for a new class of aviation-linked carbon credits, adding a regulated layer to what has largely been a voluntary market. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dERheTzH #birdstoryagency #betterstories #opportunityafrica #africanofilter

Something is coming. 25 May.

Who tells Africa’s stories ? Media shapes how the world sees Africa and how Africa sees itself. Yet, one-third of stories in African outlets come from foreign sources, often recycling stereotypes of poverty, conflict, and corruption. Our 2021 survey of 38 editors and analysis of 60 outlets across 15 Arican countries revealed: - 63% of outlets lack correspondents in other African countries - 1/3 of coverage comes from non-African sources (AFP & BBC dominate) - 81% of stories are “hard news” — mostly conflict and politics The result? A continent of 54 nations reduced to narrow frames. It’s time for stronger, nuanced African storytelling that reflects our diversity, scale, and global importance. Read ‘How African Media Cover Africa’ here: https://lnkd.in/dU8SvFEY #evidence #betterstories #africanmedia

For too long, Africa has been misrepresented on maps. When the continent is shown smaller than it truly is, the world’s perception is distorted in classrooms, in media, and in policy. - Correcting Africa’s true size challenges colonial-era narratives. - It restores an accurate understanding of Africa’s scale, diversity, and global importance. - Maps shape minds. A fair representation supports dignity, visibility, and informed global conversations. It’s time to reclaim reality. Join the movement to #CorrectTheMap and help show Africa’s true size. Sign the petition here: https://lnkd.in/eeCUq6dc #betterstories #betterrepresentation #africanofilter

Happy 6th birthday to Africa No Filter! Six years of amplifying African voices, reshaping narratives, and proving that our stories are powerful, diverse, and worth celebrating. Here’s to more years of storytelling that inspires, connects, and transforms. #africanofilter #betterstories #betterrepresentation

In a world where Africa's story is too often told through a lens of struggle, Tilda Mwai is flipping the script. This Kenyan podcaster and storyteller has built a powerful platform that amplifies the voices, ideas, and innovations that truly define the continent: bold entrepreneurs, groundbreaking creatives, and visionary leaders driving real change. Through every episode, Tilda doesn't just share stories, she shifts perspectives by replacing outdated narratives with ones rooted in opportunity, progress, and African excellence. Her podcast, Sunset Memos for Women in Corporate, shares real stories from real women, stories of triumph, struggle, and everything in between. Tune in here : https://lnkd.in/dsp7-sj6 #africannarrativecollective #africanofilter #betterstories

25 May 2026. #opportunityafrica #betterstories #shiftingnarratives

This week’s funding opportunities for African storytellers and creatives. Tag someone who should apply. 1. Radio storytellers and journalists focusing on environmental and social impact across Africa can now apply for the Pulitzer Center Radio Engagement Grants: 👉🏾 Funding for local reporting projects 👉🏾 Support for climate and land-use storytelling 👉🏾 Strategic outreach to rural and local communities Deadline: 22 June 🔗: https://pulitzercenter.org 2. The University of Johannesburg is calling for African artists across all disciplines to join their 2026 Residency cohort: 👉🏾 R10,000 monthly stipend 👉🏾 Access to world-class university facilities and networks 👉🏾 Dedicated time for project research and production Deadline: 31 July 🔗: https://lnkd.in/g4K-Da_2 3. African visual artists and photographers ready for international exposure can apply for the 2026 Hopper Prize: 👉🏾 $3,500 and $1,000 individual grants 👉🏾 Work featured to a global audience of curators 👉🏾 Unrestricted funds for studio and project costs Deadline: 12 May / Mid-year review 🔗: https://hopperprize.org 4. Young professionals working at the intersection of science and storytelling can be nominated for the Borlaug Field Award: 👉🏾 $10,000 cash prize 👉🏾 Recognition for innovation in food security/agriculture 👉🏾 Global platform to share your impact story Deadline: 15 June 🔗: https://lnkd.in/gw3Tqy3 5. The Enlight Fellowship is seeking emerging leaders from across Africa who are using innovation to solve community challenges: 👉🏾 16-week fully funded fellowship 👉🏾 Mentorship from global social impact experts 👉🏾 Curriculum focused on scaling your venture or project Deadline: 5 July 🔗: https://lnkd.in/g_6_K_SZ 6. Are you using digital technology to expand education and storytelling in Africa? Apply for the UNESCO ICT in Education Prize: 👉🏾 $25,000 prize for two laureates 👉🏾 Recognition from a global UN agency 👉🏾 Visibility for your digital innovation project Deadline: Mid-July 🔗: https://lnkd.in/gYzRWij7 #hotopportunities #betterstories #africanofiilter