Our Mission
Who We Are
At the periphery, we set the frame.
At Akuraa, we occupy the edge - audacious, resolute, and unapologetic - and turn it into the centre of vision with authority. We host a village of African image-makers setting the frame, shaping our own narratives, and writing the rules one click at a time.
Rooted in the Akan word for 'village' - a space where knowledge, stories, and life are nurtured, Akuraa is a curated, ethical image licensing platform. It thrives at the periphery: the overlooked, the threshold between what is visible and what is hidden, the site of innovation, radical perspective, and unapologetic creativity.
Collective, rooted, and fearless, Akuraa transforms the periphery into the core.
Akuraa partners with African image-makers to curate and license authentic, culturally rich imagery. Our village of photographers are selected for their ability to capture stories with nuance, intelligence, and beauty - legacies of light.
In return, our licensing model is ethical and transparent, with up to 60% of revenue going directly to creators, ensuring they are recognized, valued, and empowered. More than a stock image platform, Akuraa is a pan-African ecosystem of visual justice, career sustainability, and collective knowledge - a village where African vision commands the lens, shapes global narratives, and sets new standards for creativity.
Our Founder
Chantel Akworkor Attakakra Thompson
Chantel Akworkor Attakakra Thompson is a curator, educator, and cultural strategist dedicated to reclaiming African visual narratives and advancing feminist-led creative power across the continent and its diaspora.
She is the founder of DepART Consultancy and winner of the 2025 Gavel Prize from Sotheby's Institute of Art for her work on Akuraa, a project shaping spaces where African creatives define the lens, the story, and the future of visual culture.
Our Supporters
Sotheby's Institute of Art
Awarded Akuraa the 2025 Gavel Prize, recognising the platform's contribution to visual culture and the business of art.
Stephen Kowal
Join the Collective
Are you an African
image-maker?
Apply to become a contributing artist and start licensing your work through Akuraa.
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