ECOWAS and UEMOA Ministers Approve Joint Plan to Repatriate African Cultural Heritage.
By Raymond Enoch
On the eve of the West African Arts and Culture Festival (ECOFEST 2025) in Dakar, Senegal, ministers from ECOWAS and UEMOA gathered for a landmark meeting to approve a joint plan aimed at returning African cultural heritage to its countries of origin.
The ministerial session followed extensive consultations with cultural experts from member states, who had outlined strategies and recommendations for the repatriation of cultural property. During the discussions, ministers reviewed progress made, identified challenges encountered by countries in the restitution process, and assessed national cultural policies and institutions tasked with heritage management and the growth of creative industries.
A key highlight of the meeting was the unanimous agreement on strengthening partnerships with international organizations, donor agencies, civil society, and regional cultural networks. Ministers stressed that such collaboration would accelerate the return of cultural assets and reinforce the region’s cultural identity while promoting sustainable development in the creative sector.
As ECOFEST 2025 prepares to officially open on 30 November, this ministerial endorsement marks a significant step forward in West Africa’s ongoing efforts to reclaim, preserve, and celebrate its rich cultural heritage on the global stage.
