Wiki Loves Africa 2026: Cameroon launches national photo contest.

The launching ceremony took place on Saturday, March 14, 2026, alongside training workshops organised simultaneously in Douala, Yaounde, and Maroua. 

The initiative forms part of the continental contest that encourages Africans to document and share cultural narratives through photography on the global knowledge platform, Wikimedia Commons.

Speaking during the press launch in Douala, the Littoral Regional Coordinator of the Wikimedians of Cameroon User Group, Marcel Ebelle, explained that the competition seeks to showcase Africa through compelling visual storytelling.

He noted that Wiki Loves Africa is open to everyone and aims to promote African culture by encouraging participants to take photographs that can illustrate articles on Wikipedia and other projects of the Wikimedia Foundation.

According to Ebelle, this year’s theme, “Rites and Rituals,” focuses on cultural practices and traditions that define African societies. 

“The objective is to produce images that highlight African realities and traditions. These photos will not only celebrate our culture but will also help illustrate articles on Wikipedia and other Wikimedia platforms,” he said.

Competition timeline and participation

The international competition officially opened on March 1, 2026, but Cameroon launched its national phase on March 14, allowing participants to submit photographs until April 30, 2026.

Participants are expected to upload their photographs to Wikimedia Commons, the multimedia repository that hosts images, videos and audio used across Wikimedia platforms. Organisers say the platform currently contains hundreds of millions of files used globally for educational and informational purposes.

Ebelle encouraged participants not to be discouraged by the absence of sophisticated equipment.

“You don’t necessarily need an expensive camera. Even a mobile phone can produce a good photo. What matters is originality, good lighting and an image that tells a story about our rites and rituals,” he explained.

Selection and judging criteria

The best photographs will be selected based on technical quality, originality, and their suitability for use on Wikipedia. A national jury composed of photography professionals will evaluate submissions and select the top 10 images representing Cameroon.

These images will then qualify for the international stage where they will compete with entries from other African countries.

To encourage participation, organisers have introduced national awards for outstanding contributions. The first prize will bag, 150,000 FCFA; second prize, 100,000 FCFA; third prize, 50,000 FCFA, while the top contributor will be awarded 25,000 FCFA. 

Organisers emphasised that while the Wikimedia movement is largely volunteer-driven, the prizes serve as motivation for contributors to document African culture.

Workshops and capacity building

Alongside the launch, a series of training workshops are being organised across the country to help participants learn how to create accounts on Wikimedia platforms and upload their photographs. Another contribution workshop took place March 16 in Buea, where volunteers guided participants on how to upload and categorise images correctly.

During the launch event, multiple award-winning Cameroonian contributor, Pierre Bachelor Yepga, shared practical tips with aspiring participants. He urged photographers to focus on interpreting the theme creatively and capturing authentic moments that reflect African traditions.

“There is no secret to winning. The key is understanding the theme and expressing it in your own way. A powerful photo that captures emotion and cultural meaning always stands out,” he said.

Promoting free knowledge

The Wikimedians of Cameroon User Group, an affiliate of the Wikimedia Foundation since 2017, brings together about a hundred volunteers across hubs in Douala, Yaoundé, Maroua and Buea.

Through initiatives such as Wiki Loves Africa and other local projects, the group works to expand African content on Wikimedia platforms and ensure that African stories, cultures and knowledge are better represented online.

This article article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3736 of Thursday March 19, 2026