West Africa has officially launched its first West African Arts and Culture Festival, ECOFEST, in Dakar, Senegal. The festival celebrates the region’s rich cultural heritage, promotes integration, and supports the creative industries.
At the opening ceremony, Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko welcomed guests, calling Dakar a “land of hospitality and cultural exchange.” He highlighted the region’s history of cultural integration, noting that traditions such as symbolic adoption of local names have long united communities. He stressed that culture can bring people together where politics divides, repair communities affected by conflict, and inspire youth to preserve their heritage. The Prime Minister also called on West Africans to embrace creativity and develop cultural industries as a driver of economic and social development.
Mamadú Serifo Jaquité, UEMOA Commissioner in charge of Human Development, delivered a message on behalf of President Abdoulaye Diop of the UEMOA Commission. He thanked Senegal for hosting the festival and praised the efforts of ECOWAS and UEMOA in making ECOFEST a reality. He emphasized that the festival promotes the value of West Africa’s cultural heritage, supports the development of creative industries, and strengthens regional integration.
Representatives from ECOWAS reaffirmed their commitment to using culture as a tool for peace, social cohesion, and sustainable development. They highlighted that ECOFEST aligns with ECOWAS Vision 2050, which prioritizes “an ECOWAS of the Peoples: Peace and Prosperity for All.”
The festival’s theme, “Political Changes and Crises in West Africa: What Can Culture Do?”, reinforces the belief that culture is a powerful tool to address contemporary challenges, strengthen unity, and foster resilience across the region.
Many activities are scheduled across Dakar during the week-long festival, including:
Music and arts fair at the Monument de la Renaissance Africaine
Traditional dance performances at the Centre Culturel Blaise Senghor
Digital heritage exhibitions at Place du Souvenir Africain
Professional meetings at the Musée des Civilisations Noires
Music concerts at Maison de la Culture Douta Seck
Ceremonies and conferences at the Grand Théâtre National
A delegation from Ghana is expected to participate in various categories, including traditional dance, music, and creative arts competitions, showcasing the country’s rich cultural heritage on a regional stage.
ECOFEST 2025 is designed to be a platform for cultural exchange, youth engagement, and regional integration, reinforcing the importance of culture as a foundation for peace, cohesion, and prosperity in West Africa.
