In preparation for the inaugural edition of the West African Festival of Arts and Culture (ECOFEST), a joint meeting of the Regional Organising Committee will be held from July 2 to 4, 2025, in Dakar, Senegal.
This key planning session is co-organised by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), and the Government of Senegal.
The meeting aims to reinvigorate the organisation of the festival, previously postponed to 2024. Key objectives include reviewing the updated roadmap, redefining the roles of committee members, and aligning national and regional efforts. Participants will also tour major cultural venues earmarked for the festival.
ECOFEST Dakar 2025, scheduled for November, will revolve around the theme “Socio-political changes and crises in West Africa: what can culture do?”— emphasising the vital role of culture in fostering social cohesion, peace, and transformation across the region.
This landmark cultural event will gather representatives from ECOWAS and UEMOA member states, including artists, cultural professionals, policymakers, civil society actors, and partner institutions.
The festival will serve as a platform for creative expression, cultural exchange, and regional unity through West Africa’s diverse heritage.
