Dieudonné Ouoba, a photographer and promoter of the Burkina Faso Photography Hike, recently showcased around 30 photographs at the 16th edition of the Ouagadougou International Tourism and Hospitality Fair (SITHO). This event, which took place on September 27-28, 2026, allowed Ouoba to promote tourism in Burkina Faso through his photographs. He highlighted the country's potential tourist sites and hospitality industry through his images. The photographs on display were part of his effort to create awareness and encourage people to visit these sites.
According to Ouoba, the most challenging part of photographing a tourist site is capturing its essence in a single image. This requires a unique perspective and a deep understanding of the site's features. Unlike videography, which involves combining multiple images, photography demands a singular, impactful shot. Ouoba emphasized that his goal is to create images that evoke a desire to explore and discover the sites he photographs. He achieves this by carefully selecting the right angle and perspective to showcase the site's beauty.
The photographs exhibited were taken during the Photography Hike, an initiative by Ouoba's organization that brings together photographers from Burkina Faso to capture the country's tourist potential. The fourth edition of the hike took place in August 2026, and it drew a significant number of participants. The event is usually held in conjunction with the World Photography Day celebrations. The hike allows photographers to work together to capture different aspects of a site, resulting in a diverse collection of images.
The Photography Hike has seen a growing interest from photographers over the years. The first edition had seven participants, while the second edition drew around 50-60 people. The third edition had approximately 80 participants. For the fourth edition, the organizers limited the number of participants to allow for a more in-depth exploration of the sites and to give photographers ample time to work on their images. This year's event was extended to 72 hours, enabling photographers to capture images during the day and night.
Ouoba plans to organize the next edition of the Photography Hike in Kaya or Pô, with Kaya being the preferred destination. The goal is to promote the region's relatively unknown tourist sites and showcase its potential. By highlighting these sites, Ouoba hopes to encourage more people to visit and explore the region. Kaya is strategically located near Ouagadougou, making it an ideal destination for a photography hike.
The Photography Hike initiative has the potential to extend beyond Burkina Faso's borders. Ouoba aims to promote the country's tourist sites internationally, working with hotels, embassies, and state structures to showcase the country's rich cultural heritage. This year, the event featured Togo as the guest of honor, allowing for a sharing of experiences and expertise between the two countries. The collaboration has sparked interest in exporting the Photography Hike concept to other countries.
The photographs exhibited at SITHO are available for purchase, and Ouoba's organization has a bank of images that can be commercialized. The goal is to provide clients with high-quality images that showcase Burkina Faso's tourist potential. The clients for these images are diverse, ranging from individuals to organizations looking to promote their brand or products through the country's rich cultural heritage.
Key points
- Dieudonné Ouoba is advocating for the creation of a photography market in Burkina Faso.
- The Photography Hike initiative aims to promote tourism in Burkina Faso through photography.
- The next edition of the Photography Hike will likely take place in Kaya or Pô.
