The West African artistic community is set to engage in a new cultural initiative with the launch of the first edition of the West African Festival of Arts and Culture (ECOFEST). This event, organized by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), in collaboration with Senegal, will take place in November 2025. The theme for this inaugural festival is “Socio-political changes and crises in West Africa: what can culture do?”
The festival aims to become a significant gathering for artists, emerging talents, and cultural institutions across the region. It will officially be introduced at a press conference on May 30, 2025, at 4 p.m. at the AZALAÏ Hotel in Dakar. The event will feature Senegalese Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Khady Diène Gaye, UEMOA Commissioner Mamadu Serifo Jaquite from the Human Development Department, and ECOWAS Commissioner Fatou Sow Sarr responsible for Human Development and Social Affairs.
According to ECOFEST organizers, its primary goal is to “promote integration, social cohesion, peace and socio-economic and cultural development in the West African region.” The festival is designed as a platform for meetings, exchanges, sharing experiences, and promoting the rich cultural heritage of West Africa. Various artistic forms such as music, dance, theatre, visual arts, literature among others will be showcased to enhance regional unity through diversity and creativity.