Africa’s next generation of visual artists is making its mark, with four creatives from Ghana, Zambia, Nigeria and South Africa taking top honours at the 2026 Absa L’Atelier Art Competition, as the prestigious platform celebrates four decades of supporting emerging talent.
The winners were announced at the Absa L’Atelier Art & Lifestyle Fair at Waterfall City Park on Saturday, 10 October, bringing together art, culture and entertainment for the competition’s 40th anniversary.
Ghana’s Reginald Boateng, Zambia’s Emmanuel Chisenga and Nigeria’s Segun Owolabi received the Absa L’Atelier Art Ambassador Awards. Meanwhile, South African artist Treasure Mlima, from Durban, took home the Gerard Sekoto Award.
Since launching in 1986, Absa L’Atelier Art, in partnership with the South African National Association for the Visual Arts (SANAVA), has created opportunities for emerging artists to develop their craft, reach wider audiences and build connections beyond their home countries. This year’s competition attracted a record number of registrations, with hundreds of eligible entries submitted across Absa’s 12 African markets.
For the three Ambassador Award winners, the recognition comes with practical support to take their careers further. Each will receive R100,000 towards the material costs of a solo exhibition, access to art masterclasses, a new laptop or equivalent, and four months of mentorship with a leading visual arts authority from their respective country.
Chisenga’s win also marks a first for Zambia, which has secured its first Absa L’Atelier Art Ambassador Award since the competition introduced its group structure in 2019.
Meanwhile, Mlima’s Gerard Sekoto Award opens another international door. The South African artist will undertake a three-month residency at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris from April to June 2027. The opportunity will allow him to develop his artistic practice while engaging with the international art community. He will also receive R100,000 towards the material costs of a solo exhibition.
The Gerard Sekoto Award is presented through a partnership between the Embassy of France in South Africa and the Institut français d’Afrique du Sud (IFAS), recognising excellence and integrity in the work of a South African artist.
As Absa L’Atelier Art reflects on 40 years of nurturing creative talent, the latest winners represent more than individual achievement. They also highlight the importance of creating platforms where African artists can tell their stories, challenge perspectives and take their work to new audiences.
Artists looking to participate in the next edition can prepare for the 2027 competition, with entries expected to open in March and close at the end of April 2027.
