By Ifeoluwa Momoh | Communications Officer
As we close the chapter in 2025, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to everyone who stood with us throughout the year 2025. Despite rising challenges and louder societal pressures, your support helped us stay focused on what matters most, empowering young African female artists to thrive
Across the continent, many emerging artists continue to face barriers that limit both their creative and financial potential. They struggle to navigate the fast-changing creative industry, understand branding and positioning in a competitive global market, craft their artistic identity, or present their work professionally to collectors, galleries, fairs, and residency programs. Many are unaware of their legal rights: copyright, contracts, and intellectual property. And are left asking, “Who will buy my work?” and “How do I reach them?”
This is why the African Female Mentorship Program was created to equip and support young African female artists in the creative industry by providing access to the skills and experience of selected mentors and expert advisors. This year, we welcomed brilliant emerging artists from Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, and South Africa. These talented young women determined to make a mark in the global creative landscape.
But many had never received guidance as to how to navigate this landscape or protect their intellectual property. Others had powerful ideas but struggled with storytelling, branding, or understanding how to connect and negotiate with Art fairs, collectors, residencies, and galleries. What they needed was not more talent, rather access to “the real-life know-how” required to succeed in the creative industry.
In response, on January 6th, 2025, we began our mentorship sessions, connecting them to four seasoned mentors. Across thirty-six personalized, interactive sessions, they learned the unspoken rules of the industry, how to find their voice, tell their stories and navigate legal complexities.
We provided them with the space, materials and tools to safely and freely experiment express themselves at our studio. We exposed them to global insights by connecting them with twelve giants of the creative industry from across the world, through our workshops.
A defining moment came on the 9th of February 2025, during our studio visit to a renowned Nigerian artist. For many, this was the first time they witnessed the behind-the-scenes of his professional practice. The discipline, intentionality and history behind every piece. Another transformative experience took place on the 26th of March 2025, when the same artist visited our studio and provide direction on their pieces. Moving from easel to easel, sharing nuggets of wisdom that sharpened their techniques. These were more than just teaching moments; they were turning points.
And on the 26th of July 2025, something magical happened, at AINA Gallery themed “Intersections”. A meeting point of heritage and innovation, solitude and sisterhood, the seen and the deeply felt. Featuring forty art works in an exhibition that showcased heartfelt stories, personal histories, experiences, and cultures from across Africa.
Similarly, our impact remains ever-present. We have also seen our AFAMP alumni move on to grow rapidly in the art space across the world; this year we recorded about:
These achievements reflect what becomes possible when young African women are given the tools to dream, create, and lead.
As we step into the new year, we are excited to welcome our next cohort. We received applications from nine countries, which includes Nigeria, South Africa, Eswatini, Kenya, Cameroon, Uganda, Rwanda, Congo and Botswana. We also extend our gratitude to everyone who supported the screening process. Your commitment ensures that AFAMP continues to elevate deserving talents across Africa.
To our sponsors and donors, we say a big Thank you. The journey so far would not be possible without your generosity, support and belief in our vision. We are truly grateful for your continued partnership in making this impact possible.
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