Senegal to Host Historic ECOFEST 2025, Stress the Role of Culture in Crisis Situation.
By Raymond Enoch
A historic moment for West African unity and cultural expression was unveiled in Dakar on Friday, May 30, 2025, as top regional leaders gathered to announce the launch of the first edition of the West African Festival of Arts and Culture (ECOFEST), slated for November in Senegal.
Held at a joint press conference, the announcement brought together influential figures including Senegal’s Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Khady Diène Gaye, ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Prof. Fatou Sow Sarr, and UEMOA’s Commissioner for Human Development, Mamadu Seri-fo Jaquite. Also in attendance was H.E. Ms. Zelma Fassinou, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Senegal.
Themed “Socio-political changes and crises in West Africa: what can culture do?”, ECOFEST 2025 aims to serve not just as a celebration of regional heritage, but as a platform for cultural diplomacy, dialogue, and resilience in the face of growing political and social upheavals in the region.
“Culture is not just about identity—it’s also a strategic tool for peacebuilding, social cohesion, and development,” said Prof. Sarr during the event, emphasizing the festival’s role in addressing the underlying fractures that challenge West Africa’s stability.
Organized collaboratively by the ECOWAS and UEMOA Commissions, in partnership with the Republic of Senegal, ECOFEST marks a bold new chapter in regional cooperation. The festival will blend traditional and contemporary expressions—art, music, dance, and discourse—to inspire unity across linguistic and national lines.
Coinciding with the festival will be the inaugural Conference on Intellectual Property in Sport, a move signaling a broader commitment to nurturing cultural and athletic innovation while protecting creators’ rights across the subregion.
For Senegal, often hailed as the “Country of Teranga” or hospitality, hosting ECOFEST is not just an honor—it’s a reaffirmation of its cultural leadership in the West African space.
With November approaching, the anticipation is growing. ECOFEST 2025 is poised to be more than an event—it’s a timely cultural intervention, bringing the region together to reflect, celebrate, and reimagine a united West Africa.
