Volkswacht Bodensee - AFP photographer wins top prize for Madagascar protest coverage

Spaniard Tato won the Visa d'Or News prize for news photography for his coverage of the Generation Z protests in Madagascar.

His work on the story had already been recognised at the World Press Photo Awards in April.

Accepting the award, 37-year-old Tato paid tribute to the founder of the festival Jean-Francois Leroy, who died on Monday.

Leroy, he said, had given him an early break in 2018 when he showed his work for the first time when he was just getting started.

He also paid tribute to the young people of Madagascar, who "knew how important it was that their story be told".

In September 2025, student-led protests erupted across Madagascar over failing public services, corruption, and economic hardship. When President Andry Rajoelina dissolved his government but refused to resign, demonstrations intensified.

Tato, who is based in Kenya, covers east Africa and the Indian Ocean region for AFP.

His work has already been recognised in several photography competitions, including three times at the World Press Photo awards; at the Pictures of the Year International, Sony World Photography Awards and NPPA Best of Photojournalism.

J.Marty--VB