The first West African Arts and Culture Festival, ECOFEST Dakar 2025, concluded on December 5 at the Daniel Sorano National Theatre in Dakar. The closing event was led by Senegal’s Minister of Culture, Crafts and Tourism, Amadou Ba. The festival took place under the theme “Political Change and Crises in West Africa: What Can Culture Do?” and included a week of cultural activities.
Senior officials from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), which co-organized the event, joined Senegalese authorities at the ceremony to discuss the achievements of ECOFEST 2025. They also shared plans for future editions aimed at encouraging cultural exchange, dialogue among people in the region, and deeper regional integration.
A final artistic showcase celebrated West Africa’s cultural diversity with performances by well-known artists as well as new talent. Performers included a percussion ensemble made up of children of Grand Tambour Major Doudou Ndiaye Coumba Rose; Senegal’s Bideew Bu Bess troupe; a multidisciplinary show with dance, music, and theatre presented with FESNAC; Gambian kora player Jaliba Kouyaté; along with Senegalese musicians Coumba Gawlo Seck and Viviane Chidid.
Several artists were recognized during an awards presentation. In Painting, Youssoupha Sy from Senegal won first prize ($10,000), Moses Love Boniface from Nigeria received second prize ($5,000), and Agoua Djampa Ahouo Ange Olivier (Anvilo) from Côte d’Ivoire placed third ($2,000). In Sculpture, Moses Rimamtari Tuki from Nigeria took first prize ($10,000), Davitson César A. Livramento de Almeida from Cape Verde earned second prize ($5,000), while Akogonya Elikplim Afi from Togo received third prize ($2,000). For Photography awards went to Benjamin Thoronka from Sierra Leone (first prize $10,000), Quintino Ramalho da Silva from Guinea-Bissau (second prize $5,000), and Eder Lenine Frederico Martins from Cabo Verde (third prize $2,000).
Attendees included Bakary Sarr—Secretary of State for Culture, Creative Industries and Historical Heritage of Senegal—alongside Prof. Fatou Sow Sarr representing ECOWAS as Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs; Mamadu Serifo Jaquite representing UEMOA as Commissioner for Human Development; as well as other institutional partners who supported this inaugural edition.