On 14 October 2026, the Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA) hosted its annual reception at Loman’s Art House in Dakar, Senegal. The event, held on the sidelines of the 89th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), also featured a photography exhibition showcasing entries from IHRDA’s inaugural Pan-African Human Rights Photography Competition, held under the theme “Behind Every Case, a Human Story.”

Launched on 1 August 2026, the competition invited photographers from across Africa to capture the human stories behind human rights cases, highlighting the lived experiences, struggles, resilience and aspirations of individuals and communities affected by human rights violations.

The competition received over 100 entries from photographers across the continent. Following an internal review, 20 photographs were shortlisted for the next stage of evaluation. A panel of three judges, comprising two external judges and one representative from IHRDA, subsequently reviewed the shortlisted photographs and selected the top three entries.

Samuel Okechukwu from Nigeria emerged as the overall winner, with Mavingo Nyaga named first runner-up and Ina Thiam second runner-up. As part of his prize package, Samuel travelled to Dakar to attend the exhibition and celebrate his achievement alongside IHRDA’s partners, colleagues and other stakeholders.

The exhibition provided an opportunity for guests to engage with the shortlisted photographs and reflect on the human stories behind the cases, reinforcing the importance of visual storytelling in documenting human rights issues, amplifying the voices of affected communities and advancing human rights advocacy across Africa.

The IHRDA Annual Reception brought together representatives of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, donors, partners, participants attending the 89th Ordinary Session, friends of IHRDA and staff members for an evening of networking and celebration. Guests enjoyed food, music and refreshments while reconnecting with colleagues, building new relationships and exchanging ideas on advancing human rights and accountability across the continent.