7 artists you must see at LagosPhoto Festival

As young Africans establish their creative voices, a crop of festivals and biennales are springing up across the continent looking to share resident's stories, from their own perspectives.

One of the longest running has hit Nigeria's most populous city once again -- LagosPhoto festival.

Returning for its sixth year, 2016 looks set to be its most defining, with large-scale outdoor installations taking place around Lagos' congested roads.

Hip hop photographer, Jonathan Mannion will roll into town armed with his back catalogue of iconic images stretching back two decades. Mannion has shot over 300 album covers for the likes of Jay Z, Lil Wayne and Drake. He's expected to hold workshops and talks on his experiences at the festival.

As the first and so far, the only international festival of photography in the country, 30 photographers across 17 countries will descend onto Lagos.

Participating artists include Nigerian Fati Abubakar capturing life in the shadow of Boko Haram, Ishola Akpo from the Republic of Benin looking at marriage rites and rituals and Muchiri Njenga delivering Kenyan sci-fi in the form of afro-futurism.

There are international photographers exhibiting as well, including Spain's Pep Bonnet shooting Botswana's eyebrow raising black punk scene and Brazilian photographer Bruno Morais striking photos of the colorful garments worn by African women. Colin Defosse's surreal images (pictured above) of Congolese wrestlers charming their public prove arresting.

See the emerging African photographers to keep a close eye on, from our gallery above.