Dakar Set To Host First ECOFEST In November

Senegal

MON, 24 NOV 2025

The Senegalese Minister of Culture, Crafts and Tourism, Mr. Amadou Ba, has officially launched preparations for the maiden edition of the West African Arts and Culture Festival (ECOFEST), scheduled to take place in Dakar from 30 November to 6 December 2025.

The announcement was made on Thursday, 20 November, during a press conference at the Museum of Black Civilisations. The festival is jointly organised by the ECOWAS Commission, the UEMOA Commission, and the Republic of Senegal.

Joined by the Secretary of State for Historical Heritage and Cultural and Creative Industries, Mr. Bakary Sarr, and the ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Prof. Fatou Sow Sarr, the Minister outlined the themes and progress of preparations. He stressed that Senegal is hosting ECOFEST “with responsibility and humility,” noting that creativity and cultural industries remain vital drivers of growth, dialogue, and regional integration.

ECOFEST is designed as a multidisciplinary platform to showcase the artistic, cultural, and culinary heritage of West Africa. This year’s edition will focus on the theme: “Socio-political changes and crises in West Africa, and the decisive role of culture in peace, cohesion, and living together.” The week-long programme will feature exhibitions, performances, professional meetings, artistic residencies, and forums for reflection.

Mr. Sarr highlighted the symbolic and community dimension of the festival, stressing that integration, social cohesion, and cultural development are central to the values promoted by ECOWAS and UEMOA.

Minister Ba concluded by praising the mobilisation of cultural and institutional actors, assuring that Dakar is ready to welcome delegations, artists, and audiences from across the region for this historic first edition.

Victor Yao Nyakey is a multifaceted professional. He is a teacher, education solutions/sales consultant, business developer, journalist, and travel consultant.. More He is a teacher, education solutions/sales consultant, business developer, journalist, and travel consultant. Victor is also active on YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook, where he shares educational content, particularly in mathematics and analytical geometry.

Recently, he has been involved in discussions about Ghana's economic future, including the proposal for a 24-hour economy by former president John Dramani Mahama. Victor has written articles on this topic, exploring the potential benefits and challenges of such an economy for Ghana2.

Victor Yao Nyakey was a lead mathematics educator with the KwaZulu Natal (KZN) Department of Education in South Africa. He also headed the Mathematics Department at Futura High School in Durban from 2011 to 2019. Victor is passionate about improving mathematics education and has written articles on strategies to enhance school math performance.

He is the Executive Editor at CV News. This global news network gathers and disseminates news and information to the public through various platforms such as television, radio, newspapers, and online websites.

He founded the defunct Edgewood Academy, Destiny Tuition Centre, Victory Learning Centre, and Victory Media Consult in Durban, South Africa.

Victor Nyakey is the proprietor of Rabboni Academy (formerly Thywill International School/St. Peter’s) at Tadzewu in Ghana.

He is the CEO of Olal Ghana Limited, Bathale Group Ghana, and Operations Director of Olal Group South Africa.

He worked with Teneo Education (Teneo School/ Teneo Online School) in South Africa providing education solutions and under the Ghana Education Service (GES) teaching Mathematics, English and Science.

He also worked with Western Publications (Publishers of Daily Guide, Ghana’s most popular and best-selling private newspaper), The Moment Newspaper, and Choice FM (now called Kasapa FM) in Ghana.

He is the Press Secretary for Goldstar Air, a wholly-owned yet-to-start-operation Ghanaian airline.

Victor Yao Nyakey is also the International Relations Director of DapsCnect, an innovative technology that helps potential travellers minimise up to 99% of errors in their big data.Column: Victor Yao Nyakey

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Dakar Set To Host First ECOFEST In November

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