ECOFEST Dakar 2025 Ends in Grandeur as West Africa Celebrates Culture, Creativity and Unity By Raymond Enoch
The maiden edition of the West African Arts and Culture Festival, ECOFEST Dakar 2025, came to a colourful close on Friday, 5 December 2025, leaving an indelible mark on the region’s cultural landscape. The finale, held at the prestigious Daniel Sorano National Theatre in Dakar, capped a week-long celebration of West African heritage organised under the thought-provoking theme: “Political Change and Crises in West Africa: What Can Culture Do?”
Senegal’s Minister of Culture, Crafts and Tourism, Mr. Amadou Ba, presided over the ceremony, which blended artistic brilliance with cultural reflection. The evening’s programme featured moving performances and the presentation of multiple artistic awards, recognising the creative talent that defined the festival’s landmark first edition.
The closing event drew a distinguished audience, including Mr. Bakary Sarr, Senegal’s Secretary of State for Culture, Creative Industries and Historical Heritage; Prof. Fatou Sow Sarr, ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs; and Mr. Mamadu Serifo Jaquite, UEMOA Commissioner for Human Development. Also present were key institutional partners whose support helped deliver what has been widely described as a historic milestone for regional cultural cooperation.
Throughout the week, ECOFEST Dakar 2025 provided a broad platform for dialogue, performances, exhibitions and intellectual engagement on how culture can foster resilience amid political transitions and social upheavals in West Africa. From visual arts to music, theatre, literature and craft displays, the festival showcased the richness and diversity of West African creativity.
Organisers and participants hailed the success of this inaugural edition, expressing optimism that ECOFEST will become a regular continental meeting point where artists, policymakers and cultural stakeholders can collectively shape the future of West Africa through the power of culture.
