EU Launches Africa–Europe Culture Pact to Put Nigerian Creatives on Global Stage.
By Raymond Enoch
A new chapter for creativity and cross-continental collaboration has opened in Lagos as the European Union (EU) launched the Africa–Europe Partnerships for Culture (AEPC), a fresh initiative designed to project Nigerian creative talent onto the global stage.
Described as a “bridge between continents”, the AEPC will connect Nigerian artists and creative entrepreneurs with peers, institutions and markets across Europe, offering new avenues for learning, collaboration and international exposure.
Implemented by the Goethe-Institut Nigeria, the EU-funded programme is structured to strengthen creative ecosystems by building networks, skills and visibility for artists and cultural professionals.
Under the scheme, Nigerian creatives will benefit from targeted support ranging from capacity-building and training, to residencies, joint projects, creative hubs support and international showcases. The aim is to ensure that talent no longer hits a ceiling due to lack of access, structure or visibility.
According to the organisers, artists are at the heart of the initiative because they “carry the colours, rhythm and imagination of their communities,” and deserve platforms that allow their voices to travel further than ever before.
By investing in AEPC, the EU is signalling a long-term commitment to culture as a driver of development, dialogue and mutual understanding between Africa and Europe. The initiative aligns with ongoing EU efforts in Nigeria to support youth, innovation and the creative economy under the #EUinNigeria framework.
From Lagos to Lisbon, Abuja to Berlin, the Africa–Europe Partnerships for Culture is expected to open doors for Nigerian creatives to learn, co-create and shine on global stages, while reinforcing Nigeria’s status as a cultural powerhouse on the African continent.
