Culture has the power to change lives, connect communities and shape the future. This year, the Prince Claus Fund has once again placed culture at the heart of development through the Prince Claus Seed Award 2025, recognizing 100 socially engaged artists and cultural practitioners across 66 countries. Among them are outstanding talents from Africa who are using their creativity to spark conversations, preserve heritage and push for social transformation.
The Prince Claus Fund is an independent foundation dedicated to culture and development. With trust-based funding, connections and recognition, it supports artists working in places where culture is under pressure. The Seed Award provides €5,000 in unrestricted funding along with global recognition and opportunities. But beyond the funding, it offers artists the visibility and networks to grow their work and amplify the impact they are already making in their communities.
The Seed Award celebrates diversity of practice, ranging from photography, dance, sound art, film, performance, literature and design, to fashion, architecture and interdisciplinary approaches. Each winner carries a story rooted in their community but their art resonates far beyond local borders. For Africa, the award has highlighted an impressive group of changemakers who are blending tradition, innovation and resilience to address pressing issues and inspire hope.
From Tunisia and Côte d’Ivoire, Walid Ben Ghezala has been recognized for his photography and video work that weaves documentary aesthetics with a poetic touch. His art unravels themes of intimacy, migration, displacement and daily life. Walid has exhibited internationally, conducted photography workshops and is currently engaged in a mentorship program at ENSP in Arles. His practice shows how visual art can open dialogue on identity and belonging.
In Nigeria, Raymond J. Yusuff stands out as both a filmmaker and photographer. His journey began when he co-founded “The Critics,” an artist group with his siblings and cousins. Together they have produced more than 40 short films and are working on their first narrative feature film. Through his production company, Clan Yujo Ltd, Raymond also builds community impact by running educational programs and screenings in Kaduna. His work highlights the role of storytelling in expanding perspectives and empowering young people.
Roger Sarr from Senegal has made his mark as a dancer and choreographer. Drawing from Senegal’s cultural heritage, Roger addresses issues of justice, memory and resilience. His solo projects, supported by international institutions, push creative boundaries while his training initiatives nurture young talent in Saint-Louis. His path, from self-taught hip-hop dancer to an internationally recognized choreographer, shows the power of determination and cultural pride.
Morocco is represented by Sophia Alami, an architect and artist who explores “conservation through creation.” By blending writing, illustration, food and henna, she reimagines archives and forgotten voices. Her work with the Arabic Design Archive and Real Review demonstrates her commitment to preserving cultural practices and bringing overlooked histories to light in contemporary settings.
From Botswana, Tanlume Enyatseng is breaking barriers as a cultural producer and curator. Founder of the Banana Club, a queer curatorial platform, he makes art more accessible by creating unconventional spaces beyond traditional galleries. His Banana Club Artist Fund provides residencies and mentorship for emerging artists. Tanlume’s work has been featured widely and his leadership shows how art can be a tool for inclusivity and innovation.
South Africa is home to Mathapelo, a literary writer and abortion doula who uses storytelling as a tool for advocacy. Her writing explores women’s rights, racial justice and feminism. A recipient of prestigious prizes and fellowships, she also chairs the Life Righting Collective, which helps people heal through writing. Her impact goes beyond literature, extending into advocacy and social transformation.
From Ghana, Megborna is redefining cultural preservation through music and interdisciplinary art. Deeply rooted in Anlo-Ewe traditions, his work combines sound, performance and sculpture to highlight spirituality, resilience and environmental consciousness. Through his ADEGBO Foundation and Hakpanya Collective, he builds spaces for education and youth engagement. His albums and installations merge heritage with contemporary expression.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is represented by Melisa Kayowa, whose multidisciplinary art touches on memory, identity and human connection. Using textiles, video and installations, she creates reflective works that resonate both locally and globally. She has exhibited alongside major international artists and continues to inspire through her practice in Kinshasa. Also from the DRC is Primo, an artist whose work champions freedom of expression and gender equality. Through photography and installations, Primo addresses bruised bodies, silenced voices and hidden histories. His participation in major biennales and residencies underscores his rising influence.
From Madagascar, Miranto Rafanomezana merges design, ecology and anthropology in his art. As a cultural activist, he co-founded Black Nails to spotlight underground culture in Antananarivo. His work connects people with their environment while questioning social evolution.
Burundi’s Nanzza is emerging as a dancer and choreographer, weaving social realities, memories of conflict and resilience into his performances. His co-founded platform Afroorama builds opportunities for other artists and promotes intercultural dialogue.
In Ghana, OLDY BLAQ has made waves with his sustainable fashion brand. He creates zero-waste pieces from discarded materials, blending art, performance and circular design. His work challenges consumerist systems while promoting harmony between people and nature.
Côte d’Ivoire is home to Parmenas Awudza, a visual artist exploring memory, identity and freedom of expression through photography and installations. His projects reveal how art can be both poetic and political. From the same country, Kpingni Maureen is shaping narratives through visual art and writing, influenced by Black feminist traditions. Her work focuses on representation, resistance and the power of the female body.
From Kenya, Rahiem Shadad is a curator using art to fight hate speech and segregation. After losing his gallery in Sudan’s war, he relocated to Nairobi where he founded The Rest Residency to continue supporting displaced artists and communities. His story reflects resilience and the power of art to heal and build cohesion.
Egypt brings forward Gabal, a self-taught artist combining conceptual art with science. His projects preserve natural heritage and collective memory while sparking dialogue on urban change. Hashim Nasr from Sudan, now based in Alexandria, uses photography to question identity, aging and exile. Despite political challenges, his innovative phone-based work has gained regional recognition.
Zimbabwe’s JoyRukanza is reshaping African music. Her award-winning album celebrates women’s empowerment and her orchestral performances have broken new ground in Bulawayo. As a performer and cultural advocate, she continues to redefine Zimbabwe’s place in global music.
Uganda is represented by Katende Godfrey, a fashion designer promoting sustainable and ethical practices rooted in African heritage. His mentorship and community work align fashion with empowerment and decolonisation. Also from Uganda, Lyndah Katusiime is an architect creating sustainable, bio-architectural designs that rethink how humans live in harmony with nature.
From Morocco, Abdelhamid Belahmidi expresses lived experiences of work and burnout through photography, video and installations. His co-founded collective Kan3awd tells visual stories about his generation’s challenges.
South Africa also celebrates Qondiswa James, a cultural worker and award-winning playwright exploring the political imagination and public art interventions. Andrei van Wyk, another South African, is a sound artist whose experimental works examine identity, dispossession and history through sonic landscapes.
From Tanzania, Bernard Ntahondi blends film, heritage and history to reclaim narratives and inspire future generations. His curatorial work integrates memory with visual storytelling to build inclusive futures.
Nigeria also shines through Blossom Maduafokwa, a journalist and curator centering African music and visual culture. She has worked with global platforms and continues to highlight the value of cultural production. Fellow Nigerian Christopher Samuel Idowu uses mixed media to reflect on memory, spirituality and human connection, while also running community-based art initiatives.
From Ethiopia, Edom Wessenyeleh represents a new generation of creatives blending film, culture, gender and health equity. Her borderless approach to storytelling and collaboration reflects the spirit of a connected and inclusive future.
Finally, Kuln’Zu, a Mozambican artist based in Kenya, brings a unique perspective shaped by a multicultural background. With a practice spanning photography, collage, poetry and cultural programming, they explore themes of migration, belonging, care and desire. Their work often focuses on male bodies as vectors of motion and identity, using fragmentation and repetition to create layered meditations on contemporary life. By weaving textures, mediums and narratives, Kuln’Zu contributes to the growing field of Queer African Studies, positioning art as both aesthetic and scholarly intervention.
The Prince Claus Seed Award 2025 shows the power of culture as a basic need. These African awardees represent a generation of visionaries proving that art is not just about expression but also about creating equitable, sustainable and inclusive societies. By supporting them, the Prince Claus Fund is not only amplifying individual talent but also helping communities across Africa and beyond to reimagine their futures.
