The West African Arts and Culture Festival (ECOFEST) began its first edition in Dakar, running from November 30 to December 6, 2025. On December 1, two main events took place at the Grand Théâtre National Doudou Ndiaye Coumba Rose: the festival’s inaugural conference and a dialogue session between West African youth and representatives from ECOWAS and UEMOA.
Professor Mamadou Fall, a Senegalese academic specializing in African socio-political dynamics, delivered the opening conference. His presentation addressed the importance of culture in current geopolitical changes and highlighted its use as a means for dialogue, mediation, and peacebuilding within West Africa.
A youth-focused session followed, bringing together young people from across West Africa with Professor Fatou Sow Sarr, ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, and Mr. Mamadù Serifo Jaquite, UEMOA Commissioner responsible for Human Development. The discussion was held under the theme “Pathways to the Future with Youth for Development, Peace and Integration.”
During this meeting, both commissioners outlined existing programs and opportunities available to young people in West Africa. They spoke directly with young leaders, artists, entrepreneurs, students, and members of youth organizations about development challenges facing the region. Topics included peace efforts, regional integration initiatives, employment prospects for youth, civic participation strategies, and ways to increase young people’s involvement in building a stable and inclusive region.
ECOFEST’s program includes film screenings; exhibitions featuring handcrafted art; fairs on fashion and culinary arts; displays at the Creativity Fair that focus on heritage skills as well as digital innovation by start-ups; artistic competitions in painting, photography and sculpture; music performances by emerging talents; roundtable discussions on cultural industries; regional citizenship; fostering a culture of peace; regional diversity; and cultural heritage.