Newsletter – February 2026
Hello, Change doesn't just happen—it's written, mapped, and filmed. From hitting 10,000 signatures on our petition to correct Africa's scale on the world map, to launching a new toolkit for disrupting election narratives in Francophone Africa, the African story is being rewritten and redefined by the people who live it. What's Happening at Africa No Filter
We're disrupting election stories in Francophone Africa: Elections are complex by nature but stories about African elections often stop at stereotypes of chaos and conflict. With 12 Francophone nations heading to the polls in 2026, we believe it's time for storytellers and the media to reimagine how they cover African elections. So, we created a French-language tool that empowers journalists, political commentators, and content creators with ideas and skills to tell better stories about elections in Africa. The guide comes with practical tips, ethical guidelines, case studies, and missing storytelling frames to centre solutions journalism, marginalised voices and grassroots participation. Find it here; share it with your networks and on social media. We reached a campaign milestone: The #CorrectTheMap campaign reached a new milestone with the petition reaching 10k signatures; and it's all thanks to you. The petition calls on the media and global organisations to use Equal Earth map projections that show Africa's true scale in their data, reports, and materials that include world maps. "This is the beginning of ending distortions of power, resources, and our planet. Please change the map!" as a supporter said. Have you signed the petition yet? Make your voice heard; comment and share the page with your networks. Together, we will correct the biggest lie in geography. We're not waiting: It's time to disrupt narratives by shifting mindsets about Africa to reaffirm Africa as a continent that's alive with possibilities. Enter the Opportunity Africa Initiative; a pan-African initiative to change how the world sees Africa and how Africa sees itself by reframing the continent as a place defined by our assets and opportunities, whilst showcasing the progress and innovations. A partnership with ANF, Brand Africa and the African Union, this is an umbrella movement designed to give cohesion, visibility and power to the many voices, storytellers, campaigns, institutions, and initiatives already working to present a fresh, bolder picture of Africa. #WeAreNotWaiting. We speak French: As part of our ongoing efforts to decolonise philanthropy, we have expanded how the world connects with us by launching French language social media channels. Follow @anffrancais on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X/Twitter for ANF news and updates, meet storytellers we partner with through funding, marketing, branding and other support, and be part of conversations that unpack stereotypical narratives by showcasing Africa's opportunity, progress, and innovation. We're amplifying African women whose leadership is changing the world: Join us on Friday, March 6th at 11am - 1pm GMT as we celebrate International Women's Day with an Instagram Takeover on @africanofilter and @anffrancais. Cameroonian filmmaker, writer, model and photographer Stella Chuisse will be paying tribute to exceptional African women both who have played significant roles in Africa's political, economic, social, and artistic growth. The takeover will showcase work from her exhibition, I Want To Be Like Her. We were out and about: We were at the Africa Editors Congress in Nairobi to unpack how stereotypical narratives inflate African loan interests; at SICCAO 2026, one of West Africa's biggest cultural and creative industry gatherings, we talked about how cultural industries can shift narratives; and we joined the Rise & Shine Women in Media Breakfast Series, hosted by Fraycollege, for a roundtable breakfast, reflecting on journalism and the evolving media landscape. Keeping up with ANF Narrative Champions 
Rita Ambeu, Founder & Director of Salon du Cinéma au Féminin, represented her organisation at Clermont-Ferrand International Film Festival, where she shared the impact of PITCH O'FEMININ, her short film lab. Reflecting on the experience, she said: "This experience opened doors to new opportunities and meaningful connections for the women and young creatives we support and incubate." Mohamed Badri recently transported audiences on a virtual journey around Tadjourah, the country's historic port town known for whitewashed houses, turquoise waters, and dramatic mountain landscapes. Using only his mobile phone, his photos are a reminder that content creation is one of the most powerful engines for reshaping how Africa is seen and understood. See more. In Lagos, the spotlight was on the short film community at the third edition of The Filmjoint Awards 2026. The ceremony celebrated the creativity, innovation, and craft of short-form storytellers. This year introduced a new milestone: the inaugural Best AI Film award, created in partnership with the Naija AI Film Festival, went to Godzilla in Lagos by David Mgbeahuru. Larry Kwirirayi's 3-mob.com just turned 18. This milestone comes with over 22, 600 articles and in recent years, about 2,500 per year, a combined 800+ episodes of podcasts, and videos across social media. "We believe in telling stories from the Zimbabwean perspective for Zimbabwean people and the continent at large. #WorkReimagined, a partnership between ANF and the Ford Foundation, supports African storytellers, journalists, and creators who are flipping the script on the future of work and the gig economy. Spanning Togo to Kenya, Ethiopia to Ghana, Zimbabwe to South Africa, as well as the UAE, Portugal and Canada, these creators are ensuring African voices defining the future of work are heard. Meet them here. Shifting Narratives 
History was made at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards when Akinola Davies Jr. and Wale Davis won Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer for My Father's Shadow—the first time a Nigerian film has ever won in this category. Tyla's debut album, TYLA, is officially the first album by an African act to spend a milestone 50 weeks in the top 5 on the Billboard World Albums chart. More than 100 artefacts stolen by the British military from Africa in the late 19th Century have been officially transferred to Nigeria, while the French government returned the Djidji Ayokwe or "talking" drum back to Ivory Coast after it was looted by colonial troops in 1916. The drum is one of hundreds of objects France is preparing to send back to Africa. Fossils dating back 773,000 years found in Morocco help fill a massive evolutionary gap. These jawbones and teeth provide rare evidence of human ancestors from a period in Africa where hominin remains were previously non-existent. Chef Marcus Samuelsson argues African cuisine is sophisticated, diverse, and inherently valuable without Western validation. By investing in local projects in Ethiopia, he advocates for African ownership and culinary standards defined from within the continent rather than from outside. Remember to follow us on social media at @Africanofilter. Want to receive this newsletter in French? Subscribe here. |
