Belgian and Dutch news agencies to create one of Europe's largest image libraries

Belga News Agency and ANP, the Belgian and Dutch news agencies, are joining forces to create one of the largest photographic archives in Europe. The two organisations are merging the commercial operations of their image collections into a new joint venture. From autumn 2026, clients will be able to access the full Belgaimage and ANP Foto collections via a single, shared platform.

This collaboration will establish a powerful and future-proof image bank for the Benelux region while preserving the editorial independence of both brands. "By pooling our strengths, we're reinforcing our position in Europe and improving the service we offer," said Martha Riemsma, ANP's CEO.

The new entity will hold exclusive rights to distribute image content globally and manage copyright enforcement. The infrastructure will be integrated into a centralised database, while ANP Foto and Belgaimage will continue to operate through separate web interfaces.

Logical and strategic step

Patrick Lacroix, CEO of Belga, describes the initiative as "a logical and strategic step forward creating a strong and reliable platform for our clients in the Benelux."

By aligning technology, maintenance and development, the joint venture will benefit from considerable economies of scale. This, in turn, will allow for increased investment in innovation and customer-focused services. With a solid presence in both The Hague and Brussels, the new organisation is set to become one of Europe’s largest visual content providers.

^{© BELGA}