Safal Eye in the Wild Gala Honours Africa’s Top Conservation Photographers
By Joy Neema.
NAIROBI, Kenya, July 17, 2026 — The Safal MRM Foundation on Friday honoured Africa’s leading conservation photographers during the Safal Eye in the Wild 2026 Prize Gala held at the Trademark Hotel in Nairobi, celebrating powerful visual stories that promote wildlife conservation and environmental protection across the continent.
The ceremony recognised photographers whose images captured the beauty, diversity and vulnerability of Africa’s wildlife, landscapes and ecosystems. Winners received 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) to support the winner’s education.
The annual competition has grown beyond a photography contest into one of East Africa’s leading conservation and education initiatives. It brings together photographers, conservationists, environmental advocates, business leaders, development partners and creatives to use visual storytelling as a tool for raising awareness about biodiversity conservation and inspiring environmental action.
Speaking during the gala, Safal MRM Foundation Head Siprosa Rabach said the initiative is founded on the belief that people are more likely to protect nature when they develop a personal connection with it.
“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,” Rabach said.
She added that the competition continues to demonstrate how private sector-led sustainability initiatives can extend beyond 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 environmental sustainability, saying responsible business growth must go hand in hand with protecting natural resources.
“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,” Sigei said.
The gala also featured a special recorded message from United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Inger Andersen, who commended the Safal MRM Foundation for using creativity to drive environmental awareness and inspire future conservation leaders.
“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,” Andersen said.
She noted that partnerships between the private sector, conservation organisations and communities are critical in protecting biodiversity while investing in a more sustainable future for coming generations.
Beyond recognising artistic excellence, organisers said the competition seeks to encourage photographers and local communities to document, appreciate and safeguard the ecosystems that support livelihoods and biodiversity. The winning photographs highlighted the urgent need to protect Africa’s natural heritage while demonstrating the power of visual storytelling in shaping public understanding of environmental challenges.
This year’s gala also marked another milestone in the evolution of Safal Eye in the Wild into the flagship conservation programme under the Safal MRM Foundation’s Environment Pillar, which complements the Foundation’s broader focus on Education, Health, Shelter and Environment.
As Africa continues to grapple with biodiversity loss, climate change and ecosystem degradation, the Foundation said initiatives that strengthen the connection between people and nature are becoming increasingly important. Through Safal Eye in the Wild, the Foundation and Mabati Rolling Mills aim to show that the private sector can make a lasting contribution to conservation by creating platforms that inspire awareness, encourage action and promote sustainable development.
The 2026 Prize Gala concluded with a renewed call for individuals, communities and organisations to recognise the power of photography in advancing conservation, reinforcing the message that every image has the potential to inspire action and help protect Africa’s natural heritage for future generations.
