The online platform decolonising the African archival narrative

Since European colonisation, African narratives have often been distorted or erased. This erasure has inspired the work of Kofi Iddrisu in defying the colonial era through an act of reclamation. Archive Africa, launched in 2020 by Iddrisu, whose roots stem from Ghana, seeks to redress this imbalance in the African historical narrative. The platform was born from the realisation that much of African history remains under-documented, misrepresented, or inaccessible, especially for those whose histories it belongs to. The initiative not only highlights African voices, perspectives, and lived experiences but also shines a light on the marginalised stories and indigenous knowledge systems often left in the shadows. It is a platform designed to reframe African history, offering a more nuanced and authentic narrative that challenges centuries of colonial violence, both tangible and intangible.

What began as an online initiative has quickly blossomed into something far more significant. By gathering oral histories and archival materials from places like Wa, Kintampo, and Nsuta in Ghana, this project bridges the personal and the universal, providing a platform to explore stories passed down through generations. Leveraging social media as an accessible, dynamic tool, Archive Africa has reached an engaged global audience, inviting participation from individuals eager to share their histories. It has become an evolving digital archive, a living testament to the diversity and depth of African culture and history. Beyond mere preservation, the project empowers communities by ensuring that their narratives are told on their own terms, fostering a collective identity rooted in pride and dignity.

We spoke to Iddrisu to find out more about his project.

When and how was Archive Africa founded, and could you explain the process that went into its creation. 

I launched Archive Africa in April 2020 as a platform to preserve and amplify African history, culture, and narratives from the diaspora. The idea was born out of a deep recognition of how much of our history remains undocumented, misrepresented, or inaccessible to those it rightfully belongs to. Growing up between Ghana and London, I witnessed firsthand how African history was often reduced to colonial narratives or overlooked entirely. I wanted to create a space that would challenge this erasure and offer a more authentic, nuanced representation of our past. 

Could you explain to us the vision behind the founding of Archive Africa?

Through Archive Africa, I aim to reconnect people with their histories by showcasing the richness, diversity, and complexity of African cultures and civilizations. The platform is not just about highlighting well-known historical figures and events, but also about uncovering lesser-known stories, oral traditions, and indigenous knowledge systems that have shaped our societies. By using social media as a primary tool, I hope to make history engaging, interactive, and widely accessible, reaching people who may not have access to formal archives or historical institutions. It is about ensuring that African history is told by Africans, for Africans. 

Can you explain the personal connection one might feel in the diaspora to furthering projects, such as Archive Africa, which inform the global public on cultural happenings in the motherland.

Growing up in the diaspora, my parents ensured I had knowledge of my culture, but I always felt a bit of distance from Ghanaian traditions and history. My schooling in Ghana helped bridge that gap, allowing me to experience history as a lived reality rather than just something in books. For many of us, there is a strong pull to engage with home, and Archive Africa serves as a bridge—preserving untold stories, challenging misrepresentations, and offering a more authentic understanding of Africa. It is about reclaiming our narratives and ensuring they are told with depth and dignity.

What do you find to be the most exciting aspects of African photography at the moment?

I’m really excited by the wave of African photographers embracing vintage photographic styles reminiscent of pioneers like Sory Sanlé and James Barnor and the new generation of photographers creating deeply narrative-driven work. Artists like Sudanese photographers Hala Kashif, Yasmin Elnour, and Ninar Taha, as well as Nigerian photographer Abdullahi Ahmad and Ghanaian photographer Maame Abena Osaah Asamoah, are making incredible contributions to the field.  There’s something powerful about how these aesthetics are being reinterpreted for modern storytelling, capturing both nostalgia and contemporary African identity in fresh, dynamic ways. It is a beautiful dialogue between past and present, showcasing how photography can serve as both an archival tool and a medium for reimagining history.

Does social media help expand your practice and reach as an archivist?

Social media has transformed archiving into a dynamic, accessible, and interactive process, allowing stories that might have remained buried in traditional archives to be widely shared and discussed. Unlike physical archives, which can feel distant or difficult to access, social media democratises historical knowledge, inviting people from across the world to engage, contribute, and challenge narratives in real time. The immediacy of social media ensures that history isn’t confined to books or institutions but remains a vibrant, ongoing conversation shaped by those to whom it belongs.

What importance do you attach to the responsibility of archiving the dispossessed and the oppressed of Africa?

Archiving the histories of Africa’s dispossessed and oppressed is both an act of justice and resistance, especially in light of colonial looting and erasure. This responsibility is vital in restoring agency to communities whose narratives have been fragmented, ensuring their voices are heard on their own terms.

What emphasis does Archive Africa place on showcasing artists from more obscure African communities, or more underprivileged backgrounds?

By opening up Archive Africa to submissions, I hope to provide exposure to artists, historians, and everyday people whose perspectives might otherwise be overlooked. This helps challenge historical omissions and creates a more inclusive, community-driven archive that reflects the full breadth of African narratives.

What do you envision the future of the project looking like?

I envision the future of Archive Africa expanding beyond the digital space into physical institutions that preserve and celebrate African history in a more permanent way. I am currently planning the construction of a museum dedicated to the royal history of the Upper West region of Ghana, which will serve as a space to document and honour the legacies of the region’s traditional rulers, cultural heritage, and historical narratives. Additionally, we are working on establishing a library and writer’s retreat in Accra, creating a space for archival research, literature, and creative work that fosters deeper engagement with African history and storytelling. To bring this vision to life, we currently have a fundraiser supporting the construction of the library and retreat, ensuring that these resources become accessible to the public. Both projects aim to provide spaces where history can be experienced, studied, and preserved for future generations, ensuring that our stories remain in our hands and continue to shape our collective identity.