ECOFEST Dakar 2025 in Senegal Explores Culture, Youth Dialogue, Creativity, Tourism Growth and Regional Integration Across West Africa

Published on December 3, 2025

The first edition of the West African Festival of Arts and Culture (ECOFEST) in Dakar has opened a new chapter in the cultural, intellectual and tourism landscape of Senegal and the wider West African region. Held from 30 November to 6 December 2025, the festival represents a major step toward strengthening regional cultural identity, promoting youth innovation, and presenting West Africa as a rising hub for creative tourism. The opening events on 1 December at the Grand Théâtre National Doudou Ndiaye Coumba Rose set the tone for a week of cultural celebration, regional dialogue and artistic engagement, drawing participants, travellers and creators from across the continent.

Inaugural Conference: Culture as a Driver of Regional Transformation

The inaugural conference, which marked the official beginning of ECOFEST’s intellectual programmes, explored the central role of culture in shaping West Africa’s modern geopolitical, social and economic dynamics. Delivered by a prominent academic speaker specialising in African socio-political transformation, the session focused on how cultural heritage, storytelling, languages, performing arts and creative expression can contribute to peacebuilding, identity formation, regional cooperation and long-term stability. The presentation emphasised that culture is not only a form of artistic expression but also a powerful medium of mediation, diplomacy and community resilience. By highlighting this perspective, ECOFEST positioned itself as a festival where creative ecosystems and geopolitical thought intersect—creating new pathways for dialogue and integration. For travellers and cultural researchers visiting Senegal during the festival, this intellectual angle offered a deeper understanding of West Africa’s multilayered identity beyond popular tourist imagery.

Youth Dialogue: A Platform for Vision, Participation and Regional Integration

One of the major highlights of ECOFEST was the interactive dialogue between West African youth and representatives of ECOWAS and UEMOA. Held under the theme “Pathways to the Future with Youth for Development, Peace and Integration,” the session brought together young creators, entrepreneurs, students, cultural innovators and members of youth organisations. The dialogue focused on the vast opportunities available for young people in areas such as regional employment, creative industries, education, peace initiatives and cross-border collaboration. Youth participants were encouraged to explore leadership roles in shaping West Africa’s cultural future and engage more actively in civic life. For visitors arriving from abroad, this engagement showcased the region’s youthful energy and its commitment to innovation, community building, and inclusive development. Many international travellers noted that such conversations reveal a side of West Africa often overlooked—one where youth power, creativity, and cultural pride shape national and regional narratives.

Cultural Activities Across Dakar: A Celebration of Heritage, Innovation and Creativity

ECOFEST Dakar 2025 unfolded across the city through a series of vibrant events that highlighted the diversity and dynamism of West African arts and traditions. Film screenings, handcrafted art fairs, exhibitions, culinary showcases, and interactive creativity zones allowed residents, tourists and participants to engage directly with the region’s rich cultural tapestry. At the Creativity Fair, start-ups and creative entrepreneurs presented digital innovations rooted in heritage-based skills, demonstrating how modern technology can preserve and reimagine traditional craftsmanship. This blend of past and present positioned Dakar as a city that honours its cultural memory while nurturing contemporary creativity. Visitors coming to Senegal during the festival could explore immersive cultural circuits—from traditional fashion exhibitions to digital art installations—making ECOFEST a multi-sensory journey through the heart of West African cultural identity.

Artistic Competitions and Performances: Empowering Young Creative Voices

A key part of the ECOFEST programme included artistic competitions in painting, photography and sculpture, offering a platform for emerging talent. These competitions celebrated originality and encouraged young artists to present new visual interpretations of West Africa’s cultural stories. Music performances—both traditional and modern—added a vibrant rhythm to the festival. Young musicians showcased diverse genres, blending ancestral melodies with contemporary influences. For travellers, these performances offered an authentic experience of Senegal’s evolving soundscape, reinforcing the nation’s status as a cultural powerhouse.

Roundtable Discussions: Strengthening Cultural Industries and Regional Citizenship

ECOFEST also hosted multiple roundtable discussions on topics crucial to the region’s future. These conversations explored cultural and creative industries, regional markets, citizenship, peace culture, and diverse heritage systems. Experts and participants examined how creative economies can stimulate job creation, tourism expansion, and regional integration. The discussions highlighted the importance of sustainable cultural policies, heritage protection, and investment in creative entrepreneurship. Such exchanges allowed international visitors to gain insight into West Africa’s strategic cultural vision, making ECOFEST not only a festival but also a platform for shaping long-term partnerships.

Impact on Travel and Tourism: Senegal as a Gateway to West African Cultural Tourism

One of the most significant outcomes of ECOFEST Dakar 2025 is its potential to reshape the region’s tourism landscape. Senegal, already known for its vibrant arts scene and cultural heritage, used the festival to position itself as a major hub for cultural tourism in West Africa.

1. Increased Tourist Footfall

ECOFEST attracted travellers from multiple countries, offering them immersive access to arts, crafts, music, local cuisine, and traditional performances. This surge in visitors contributed to local businesses, hotels, transport services and craft markets.

2. New Cultural Circuits and Travel Experiences

The festival encouraged the development of new travel itineraries focused on creative workshops, heritage tours, local artisan communities, and regional youth initiatives. Dakar’s museums, galleries and cultural spaces experienced increased visibility, inspiring long-term tourism investment.

3. Boost to Creative and Culinary Tourism

With exhibitions highlighting handcrafted art, fashion, design, and culinary arts, visitors gained a taste of West Africa’s artistic excellence. The inclusion of culinary showcases strengthened Senegal’s growing reputation as a destination for food tourism.

4. Regional Tourism Cooperation

ECOWAS and UEMOA’s involvement signalled a broader strategy to promote cross-border cultural tourism. ECOFEST sets a model for future events that link West African cities through shared cultural narratives and collaborative tourism frameworks.

5. Youth Inclusion Helps Tourism Branding

The involvement of young innovators and artists helps refresh the global image of West Africa as a vibrant, creative and forward-looking region. This enhances the region’s tourism branding and attracts travellers interested in contemporary culture in addition to traditional heritage.

A New Cultural Identity for West Africa

ECOFEST Dakar 2025 has introduced a fresh perspective on what a cultural festival can represent in the modern African context. It serves as:
• a creative marketplace for artists and cultural entrepreneurs
• a policy platform for youth participation and regional cooperation
• a tourism engine that strengthens Senegal’s global presence
• a cultural bridge linking traditional heritage and digital innovation
By merging arts, economic development, youth empowerment and cultural diplomacy, ECOFEST positions West Africa as a region capable of shaping its own narrative on the global stage. It offers travellers, scholars, artists and policymakers a holistic view of a region in motion—rooted in tradition yet confidently embracing modernity.

Conclusion

The first edition of ECOFEST in Dakar marks the beginning of a transformative cultural movement in West Africa. It celebrates heritage, youth, innovation and regional unity, while strengthening Senegal’s reputation as a leading destination for cultural and creative tourism. Through exhibitions, performances, dialogues and roundtables, ECOFEST presents a renewed vision of West Africa—one driven by artistic excellence, collaborative spirit and the unstoppable energy of its youth. The festival not only enriches the regional cultural ecosystem but also inspires new possibilities for travel, investment, and cross-cultural understanding across the African continent.