FAAPA launches pan-African visual storytelling network via five-day Photojournalism Training Director General Fouad Arif (MAP) and FAAPA President at the Centre as photojournalists receive certificate

In a pivotal leap toward elevating visual storytelling, FAAPA has concluded a five-day photojournalism seminar that drew participants from twenty-five African news agencies. The training culminated in a ceremony at FAAPA Headquarters on October 3, 2025, where certificates were awarded to the photojournalists.

Director General Fouad Arif of MAP, FAAPA President, lauded the participants for their dedication and stressed that candid feedback is essential to the federation’s evolution. He invited frank reflections on the sessions, underscoring their value for shaping FAAPA’s future trajectory.

The president affirmed a commitment to ongoing professional development and announced plans for another training next year. He expressed enthusiasm for continued collaboration with the cohort, whose insights will guide the federation’s strategic direction. He also mentioned that FAAPA’s inaugural general assembly would convene in Marrakech, a city chosen for its rich cultural heritage and resonance within Africa.

To sustain the collaborative spirit, Arif declared a dedicated WhatsApp channel as a dynamic conduit for member agencies to share work and amplify the reach of their visual content.

A landmark outcome of the seminar was the formal launch of the Network of Photojournalists of African News Agencies (NPJ-FAAPA). Under FAAPA's auspices, the NPJ-FAAPA aims to facilitate expertise exchange, data sharing, and skills development, while organizing specialized forums and seminars in partnership with other African institutions.

Mohammad Annis, Secretary of FAAPA and new NPJ-FAAPA Executive

The NPJ-FAAPA executive committee comprising General Coordinator Guylain Omba Kipoke of the Congolese News Agency, Secretary General Abdoul Rahamane Ousman Maman of the Nigerien News Agency, and Deputy Secretary General Amara Kargbo of the Sierra Leone News Agency were introduced to steer initiatives. General Coordinator Guylain Omba Kipoke of ACP expressed gratitude to FAAPA for its catalytic role in creating a platform to advance photojournalism across the continent.

Omba Kipoke described NPJ-FAAPA as a space for dialogue, empowerment, and collaborative projects. He pledged regular forums and training sessions to continuously enhance members’ capabilities.

Dr. Josephine N. Abomo Essoma, a trainer from Cameroon, praised the event’s collaborative spirit and advocated for extended sessions to deepen work and reinforce the network’s mission to present an authentic African perspective to the world.

Arnaud Thierry Gouignan, a trainer and photojournalist from Abidjan, called the seminar a positive milestone for African media. He underscored that the skills gained will bolster journalists’ daily work, enabling storytelling that captures reality through imagery.

Addressing the growth of Artificial Intelligence, Gouignan urged African photojournalists to counter AI trends by using their craft to tell courageous, authentic African stories through indigenous perspectives. He informed that by noting that integrating writing with photography will better meet modern audiences’ demands and hopes for continued joint efforts.