The Safal MRM Foundation on Friday honoured Africa’s leading conservation photographers and visual storytellers during the Safal Eye in the Wild 2026 Gala Awards Ceremony held at the Trademark Hotel in Nairobi.
The Foundation presented the Gold Award (USD 3,000), Silver Award (USD 2,000), Bronze Award (USD 1,000), Public Choice Award (USD 500) and the Amateur/Minor Award (USD 500 towards education) to photographers whose work has brought Africa’s wildlife, landscapes and ecosystems into sharper focus through compelling visual storytelling.
The awards recognised outstanding images that captured the richness, diversity and fragility of Africa’s natural heritage, demonstrating photography’s unique ability to inspire dialogue, deepen appreciation of nature and encourage greater responsibility for environmental conservation.
The gala brought together conservationists, photographers, environmental advocates, business leaders, development partners and members of the creative industry, marking the culmination of another successful edition of Safal Eye in the Wild. Over the years, the initiative has evolved from a photography competition into one of East Africa’s leading conservation and environmental education platforms, creating opportunities for photographers while promoting environmental awareness across the region.
Speaking during the ceremony, Safal MRM Foundation Head Siprosa Rabach said the initiative reflects the Foundation’s belief that conservation begins with human connection and that storytelling remains one of the most powerful tools for inspiring environmental action.
“Conservation starts when people care, and people care when they connect emotionally with what they see and experience. Safal Eye in the Wild was established to create that connection by using photography to bring nature closer to communities, inspire environmental stewardship and encourage action. Every image recognised tonight is more than a photograph; it is a call to protect the ecosystems, wildlife and biodiversity that define our shared future,” she said.
Rabach noted that the competition continues to demonstrate how business-led sustainability initiatives can extend beyond traditional corporate social investment by bringing together conservation, creativity and education on a single platform.
Mabati Rolling Mills Chief Executive Officer Albert Sigei reaffirmed the company’s commitment to sustainability, saying environmental stewardship remains essential to long-term economic resilience and community wellbeing.
“For over six decades, Mabati Rolling Mills has grown alongside the communities we serve and the environments that sustain them. We recognise that the future of business and the future of our planet are inseparable. Safal Eye in the Wild reflects our belief that the private sector has both the opportunity and the responsibility to contribute meaningfully to conservation while supporting innovation, education and creative expression,” he said.
In a recorded message, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Inger Andersen, commended the Safal MRM Foundation for using creativity and visual storytelling to drive conservation while empowering future generations.
“Safal Eye in the Wild is a powerful example of how art can become a catalyst for environmental action. By connecting photography with conservation and education, the Safal MRM Foundation is not only celebrating Africa’s extraordinary natural heritage but also empowering young people to become stewards of the environment. This initiative demonstrates how partnerships between the private sector, conservation organisations and communities can create lasting impact, inspiring people to protect biodiversity while investing in a more sustainable future for generations to come,” Andersen said.
Organisers said the awards underscore the growing role of visual storytelling in shaping conservation conversations and inspiring a new generation of environmental champions across the continent. Beyond recognising artistic excellence, the competition encourages photographers and communities to document, appreciate and protect ecosystems that sustain livelihoods, biodiversity and future prosperity.
The 2026 Prize Gala also marked another milestone in the evolution of Safal Eye in the Wild from an annual photography competition into the flagship conservation initiative under the Safal MRM Foundation’s Environment Pillar, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable development through education, health, shelter and environmental conservation.
With Africa facing mounting environmental challenges, including biodiversity loss, climate change and ecosystem degradation, the Foundation said initiatives that strengthen the connection between communities and nature have become increasingly important.
The 2026 edition reaffirmed the competition’s enduring message that every image has the power to inspire action, every action creates impact, and every effort contributes to protecting Africa’s natural heritage for future generations.
