Akisi Residency

Set in the tranquil coastal village of Mfumbwi, Jambiani on Zanzibar’s east coast, the Akisi Residency brought together five emerging Tanzanian photographers for a week-long creative retreat focused on reimagining sustainable practices in photography.

Guided by the acclaimed mentorship of international Spanish photographer María Primo and Tanzanian artist Simon Luyenga, participants engaged in deep reflection, skill-building, and meaningful dialogue around the intersection of photography, ecology, and culture.

The residency culminated in a pop-up exhibition, at Cheusi Mangala Arts Gallery showcasing powerful works created using both digital photography and the historic cyanotype technique — merging tradition with innovation.

The inaugural cohort of Akisi was proudly funded by the Embassy of Spain in Dar es Salaam and produced by the Tanzania Foto Collective under the flagship of Dar Foto Festival.