Skip to content

Masks on parade and acrobatics: Africa's top shots

A selection of the week's best photos from across the African continent and beyond:

James Oatway / Reuters A contestant warms up on stage in preparation for a slap fighting match in Kagiso township, west of Johannesburg, South Africa - Sunday 4 August 2024.James Oatway / Reuters
A contestant warms up on stage on Sunday in preparation for a slap fighting match in Kagiso township, west of South Africa's main city, Johannesburg...
James Oatway / Reuters A contestant prepares to deliver a blow during a slap fighting competition in Kagiso township, west of Johannesburg, South Africa August 4, 2024James Oatway / Reuters
In the real fight, a penalty is awarded whenever the person being slapped flinches.
Yanick Folly / AFP Visitors pose with an egungun, a character wearing a Yoruba costume and mask, during a festival in Porto-Novo, Benin - Sunday 4 August a character wearing a Yoruba costume and mask during a festival in Porto-Novo, Benin - Sunday 4 August 2024 Yanick Folly / AFP
Also on Sunday, a man in a costume and mask is surrounded by spectators at a festival in Benin's capital, Porto-Novo...
Yanick Folly / AFP Zangbeto masks parade during the grand procession of traditional masks in Porto-Novo, Benin - 4 August 2024. Yanick Folly / AFP
Dozens of people wearing masks in different styles parade through the streets during the Porto-Novo Mask Festival.
Gerald Anderson / Getty Images Two people feed cats at the slum in the capital, Nairobi - Tuesday 6 August 2024Gerald Anderson / Getty Images
On Tuesday, a cat and her kittens are fed and petted by people living in a slum in Kenya's capital, Nairobi.
Amin Mohammad Jamali / Getty Images A member of Egypt's artistic swimming team does a daring tumble at the Paris Olympics in France - Wednesday 7 August 2024 Amin Mohammad Jamali / Getty Images
The next day, Egypt's artistic Olympic swimming team wows spectators with daring aquatic tumbles and tosses - but the team only manages to get tenth spot at the Paris Games.
Amos Gumulira / AFP A soldier playing a trumpet in a military band to mark the official beginning of the electoral period ahead ahead of elections next year marching in Lilongwe, Malawi - Friday 2 August 2024Amos Gumulira / AFP
The sound of Malawi's military band fills the streets of the capital, Lilongwe, on Friday to mark the beginning of the election period ahead of elections next year.
Sia Kambou / AFP An image of China's armed forces parading during celebrations for the 64th anniversary of Ivory Coast's independence in the resort town Grand-Bassam, Ivory Coast - Wednesday 7 August 2024 Sia Kambou / AFP
China's armed forces make a guest appearance at Ivory Coast's 64th independence parade on Wednesday in the resort town Grand-Bassam, 42km (26 miles) east of the main city, Abidjan.
Fethi Belaid / AFP An image of Iraqi singer Kadim al-Sahir performing at at the International Festival of Carthage at the Carthage Roman Theatre on the outskirts of Tunis, the capital of Tunisia on 3 August 2024. Fethi Belaid / AFP
On Saturday evening, Iraqi crooner Kadim al-Sahir performs at the International Festival of Carthage on the outskirts of Tunis, the capital of Tunisia.
Moise Kasereka / EPA A government official lays down wreaths for the seven victims of the Bweremana bombing in Democratic Republic of Congo on 2 August 2024. Moise Kasereka / EPA
Earlier on Saturday in Kibati town in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, wreaths are laid for seven victims of a bombing on 15 July...
Moise Kasereka / EPA An image of a mourner getting emotional at a burial in the Democratic Republic of Congo on 2 August 2024. Moise Kasereka / EPA
A mourner is overcome by emotion at the ceremony.
Billel Bensalem / Getty Images An image of a man tossing a pizza in Algiers, Algeria - Monday 5 August 2024Billel Bensalem / Getty Images
On Monday, the International Pizza Festival takes place in Algeria's capital, Algiers, where 50 competitors vie for the top three spots.
Aytac Unal / Getty Images An image of Imane Khelif throwing a punch at Thailand's Janjaem Suwannapheng on 6 August 2024.Aytac Unal / Getty Images
The next day, Algeria's Olympic boxer Imane Khelif goes through to the gold medal fight after she defeats Thailand's Janjaem Suwannapheng.
Hamza Zait / Getty Images An image of people in Imane Khelif's village Biban Mesbah celebrating her victory in the women's 66kg semi-final boxing match at the Olympics in Paris - Tuesday 6 August 2024Hamza Zait / Getty Images
Back in her home village of Biban Mesbah, the Algerian welterweight's fans celebrate her victory.

From the BBC in Africa this week:

Getty Images/BBC A woman looking at her mobile phone and the graphic BBC News AfricaGetty Images/BBC

Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.

Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica

BBC Africa podcasts