Skip to content

Africa's week in pictures: 28 December - 3 January

A selection of the best photos from across Africa and of Africans elsewhere in the world this week.

News imageAFP A woman holds a sparkler during New Year celebrations in the Kibera slum in Nairobi on January 1, 2019AFP
A woman in a neighbourhood in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, brings in the New Year with a sparkler.
News imageBBC Presentational white space
News imageAFP New Year's fireworks in AbidjanAFP
Revellers in Ivory Coast's main city, Abidjan, enjoy a full fireworks display along the waterfront.
News imageBBC Presentational white space
News imageGrace Ekpu A woman on a beach taking a selfieGrace Ekpu
The beach in Lekki in Nigeria's commercial hub, Lagos, is a magnet for people who want to take advantage of the New Year's Day holiday.
News imageBBC Presentational white space
News imageReuters Worshippers are seen during New Year Mass at the Holy Rosary parish Wuse zone 2, in Abuja, Nigeria January 1, 2019.Reuters
In the capital, Abuja, worshippers attend a New Year mass at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church.
News imageBBC Presentational white space
News imageAFP South African members of the Cape Minstrel bands attend the annual "Tweede Nuwe Yaar" (second new year) carnival through the streets of Cape Town, South Africa, 02 January 2019.AFP
On Wednesday, the party continues in Cape Town in South Africa as the Cape Minstrel bands hold their traditional carnival.
News imageBBC Presentational white space
News imageEPA South African members of the Cape Minstrel bands attend the annual "Tweede Nuwe Yaar" (second new year) carnival through the streets of Cape Town, South Africa, 02 January 2019.EPA
Dozens of troupes parade through the streets of the city playing music and dancing.
News imageBBC Presentational white space
News imageAFP Members of minstrel troupes sing and dance as they march through the city centre during the annual Tweede Nuwe Jaar (Second New Year) Cape Town Minstrels Carnival on January 2, 2019, in Cape Town.AFP
The tradition dates back to before the end of slavery in the Cape colony, when enslaved people were allowed to relax on the day after New Year's Day.
News imageBBC Presentational white space
News imageAFP A voter (R) is taught how to use an electronic voting machine by an Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) agent at the CFP Katuba polling station in Lubumbashi"s Kisale district on December 30, 2018AFP
Voters in the Democratic Republic of Congo use electronic voting machines for the first time in Sunday's presidential election...
News imageBBC Presentational white space
News imageAFP Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) agents count votes during an electricity cut while watched by observers at Kiwele college in Lubumbashi on December 30, 2018AFP
The machines printed out ballot papers which officials have to count by hand after polls close.
News imageBBC Presentational white space
News imageEPA Supporters of defeated Madagascar presidential candidate Marc Ravalomanana protest in Antananarivo, Madagascar 29 December 2018EPA
In Madagascar, supporters of ex-President Marc Ravalomanana protest on Saturday after the electoral commission said he lost the 19 December poll.
News imageBBC Presentational white space
News imageReuters Benin"s ambassador to Denmark Eusebe Agbangla greets Denmark"s Queen Margrethe during the New Year"s reception at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen, Denmark, January 3, 2019Reuters
On Thursday, Benin's ambassador to Denmark, Eusebe Agbangla, is greeted by Queen Margrethe at a reception in Copenhagen.
News imageBBC Presentational white space

Pictures from AFP, EPA and Reuters