The African Festival of Arts, Culture and Creatives (AFESTACC) 2026 is scheduled to unfold in Accra from 9 to 12 December, drawing cultural practitioners, creatives, entrepreneurs and investors to celebrate African heritage and unlock new opportunities in the creative economy.
Organised by the African Union Development Agency–New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA‑NEPAD) in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, the four‑day event will showcase cultural displays, exhibitions, fashion, gastronomy and investment prospects, while engaging young people and entrepreneurs.
At the launch held at the ministry, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts Abla Dzifa Gomashie described AFESTACC as a vital step toward harnessing culture for Ghana and the wider continent. She urged corporate sponsors to support the festival, noting it would give youth a chance to experience diverse African cultural expressions.
Symerre Grey‑Johnson of AUDA‑NEPAD highlighted that AFESTACC has been added to Ghana’s official December calendar, a move he said would raise its profile amid the busy festive season. He outlined the core programme, set for 9 to 11 December, which will bring together representatives of African governments, cultural and creative practitioners, industrial leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, development partners, young people and members of the African diaspora.
Activities will be hosted at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, the National Theatre and other venues to be announced. The festival will close on 12 December with a wellness walk involving participants, partners and the public.
According to Mr Grey‑Johnson, AFESTACC seeks to go beyond celebration, aiming to create opportunities for creative enterprise, tourism investment, innovation and employment. He said the initiative aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which promotes a strong African cultural identity and shared heritage.
AFESTACC will run alongside Industrial Skills Week Africa (ISWA) 2026, which focuses on skills development, industry and employment. The two initiatives, he said, complement each other by linking Africa’s creative potential with the skills, investment and business opportunities needed to grow its industries.
AUDA‑NEPAD has invited African Union member states, regional economic communities, private‑sector organisations, investors and creatives to participate in the Accra gathering.
As the festival approaches, organisers are finalising venue details and programme specifics, promising a vibrant showcase of African culture and a platform for economic collaboration.
