West african festivals answer the call
21.10.2026
West Africa Component
Festivals across West Africa are stepping forward to build lasting networks, first across the region and then with Europe. Through the West Africa component of the Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture (AEPC) programme, they are strengthening cultural exchange and the mobility of artists and cultural professionals.
Over the past few months, several activities have marked the launch of the West African component of the programme. Launch ceremonies and information sessions were organized across the six clusters of the project (Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal) to present the programme’s objectives, the opportunities available to cultural stakeholders, and the procedures for participating in the various calls for applications.
Festivals, cultural organisations, artists, professional networks and public institutions took part, and the sessions gave them space to put their questions directly to the team.
The calls for applications
The West Africa component opened calls for large and medium-sized festivals to form the festival clusters at the heart of its work.
These calls generated significant interest across the region, with approximately 300 applications received in the large festivals and medium-sized festivals categories. The response speaks to the strength of West Africa's festival sector and its appetite for working across borders, within the region and with Europe.
The applications span film, performing arts, visual arts, heritage, music and literature, across a wide range of cultural contexts.
Where are we today?
Following an initial call that resulted in the selection of only one large festival out of the six envisaged, namely MASA (Abidjan African Performing Arts Market) from Côte d’Ivoire, the results of the complementary call launched to select the remaining five festivals are expected to be announced in the coming days. Together, the six large festivals will anchor the West Africa festival clusters, each working with seven medium-sized festivals.
At the same time, applications submitted by medium-sized festivals will soon be reviewed by a qualified jury to be established following a dedicated call. The applications will undergo a thorough evaluation based on the criteria set out in the calls for proposals, ensuring a transparent and fair selection process.
What’s next?
Will be announced soon :
- The results for the five remaining large festivals.
- The results for the medium-sized festivals.
- The new opportunities and calls for applications aimed at cultural and creative stakeholders across the region.
Contact Us
For any questions regarding the West Africa component of the AEPC programme, please contact :eup-wa@goethe.de