The Africa Story Project is Aerial View's flagship editorial initiative dedicated to discovering and documenting the stories that make Africa understandable, not just visitable.
Created by Ria's Colony, the project exists because too much of Africa is still presented through destination brochures, travel checklists and short visits that rarely explain the people, history and culture behind a place. While countless guides recommend where to go, very few answer the questions that leave lasting impressions: Why does a community live the way it does? What traditions have survived generations? Which people quietly preserve a destination's identity? What stories can only be told by those who have lived them?
The Africa Story Project was established to change that.
Rather than publishing promotional articles or sponsored content, Aerial View works alongside carefully selected tourism businesses, conservation organizations, artisans, cultural institutions, local guides, community leaders and hospitality brands to produce professionally written editorial features that remain true to each contributor's voice while meeting rigorous editorial standards for accuracy, authenticity and storytelling.
Every application undergoes a structured editorial review, including originality checks, fact verification and, where necessary, interviews with applicants before publication. Selected stories are professionally written, edited, fact-checked and promoted across Ria's Colony's editorial platforms, ensuring they become long-term resources that readers can discover long after publication.
The programme welcomes applications from organizations and individuals operating across Africa whose work helps preserve, explain or shape the character of a destination. This includes boutique hotels, eco-lodges, restaurants, museums, conservation projects, community tourism initiatives, cultural centres, tour operators, artisans, festivals and many other organizations that contribute to the identity of their communities.
While applications are open to all eligible organizations, the project places particular emphasis on highlighting women building Africa's tourism industry, preserving cultural heritage, leading conservation efforts and creating opportunities within their communities.
Participation in the Africa Story Project is entirely free. Successful applicants receive a professionally written editorial feature, comprehensive editing and fact-checking, publication on Aerial View, promotion across Ria's Colony's platforms, newsletter exposure where applicable, and a complimentary fourteen-day promotional campaign that helps their stories reach travellers, researchers, tourism professionals and culturally curious audiences around the world.
More than an editorial programme, the Africa Story Project is building a lasting archive of Africa told by the people who know it best. Every published feature contributes to a richer, more accurate understanding of the continent by documenting the communities, traditions, businesses and experiences that shape everyday life across Africa.
Please fill the form below to apply. Before applying, here are the instructions:
Before completing this application, please read the following carefully:
- Complete all required fields as accurately as possible.
- Tell us your story in your own words. We are interested in honesty, not advertising copy.
- Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
- Shortlisted applicants may be invited to complete a follow-up questionnaire or participate in a brief editorial interview.
- Acceptance into the programme is not guaranteed and progression through each stage depends on editorial review and verification.
- Participation is completely free. Ria's Colony will never ask you to pay any fee to apply or to be selected.
- Plagiarized or misleading submissions may be rejected at any stage of the process.
Please ensure you have read the Terms of Reference before submitting your application.
Estimated completion time: 10–15 minutes.
Consent
By submitting this application, you confirm that:
- The information you provide is accurate to the best of your knowledge.
- You own, or have permission to use, all photographs and materials submitted.
- You agree to participate in Aerial View's editorial review process if shortlisted.
- You have read and agree to the Africa Story Project Terms of Reference.