This year’s FESTAC Africa Festival 2025, scheduled for Sunday, September 21 to Saturday, September 27 in Accra, has been officially launched with a strong call for Africans and people of African descent to promote and preserve the continent’s legacy.
The call aligns with this year’s theme: “Harnessing Health, Culture, Trade, Climate Change, Gender Equity, and Tourism for Sustainable Economic Growth.” The objective is to deepen unity among Africans while positioning the continent to take its rightful place in global politics.
Ghana was officially announced as host of the 2025 edition in June. The press launch, held at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park on Thursday, September 11, brought together festival organisers, government officials, and industry stakeholders.
Speaking on behalf of the CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Maame Afua Houadjeto expressed the country’s readiness to deliver a world-class celebration of Africa’s culture, creativity, and commerce.
“FESTAC Africa Festival 2025 is more than an event; it is the biggest Pan-African gathering, merging culture, commerce, and collaboration to drive sustainable development while creating the largest trade marketplace during the festival week,” she said.
She emphasized that the festival would go beyond entertainment to build lasting linkages between culture and trade.
“We are unlocking opportunities for SMEs, artisans, creators, and innovators across Africa to access new markets and forge partnerships that extend beyond the festival. This is how we transform culture into commerce and creativity into opportunity,” she added.
A Movement Beyond a Festival
In his address, FESTAC Chairman, Engr. Yinka Abioye, described the seven-day celebration as a movement designed to safeguard Africa’s legacy.
“This is the Black Star Experience — the heart and soul of Africa in one place, at one time. From Accra to Abuja, Nairobi to New York, the world’s eyes are on Ghana as we host the biggest Pan-African festival of our time,” he said.
He also noted the symbolic timing of the festival, which coincides with September 21st — the birthday of Ghana’s first president and Pan-African icon, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah — and September 27th, World Tourism Day.
“September marks the return of the Diaspora to the homeland. It embodies Ghana’s role as the Gateway to Africa and will now be remembered as the month when Africa stood united under one banner to celebrate its greatness,” he added.
Festival Highlights
The week-long festival promises a dynamic line-up of activities, including:
- Conferences & Summits: Trade, Tourism, Technology, Women ARISE, Youth BOLD Moves
- Health Screenings: Open to all participants
- Cultural Performances: Nightly shows at Independence Square
- Sports & Youth Activities: SA vs. Zimbabwe Braai Day, Walk4Hope, and more
- Movies & Documentaries: Daily screenings of African stories
- Culinary Experiences: Ghana vs. Nigeria Jollof Showdown, Afro-Fusion Runway
- Black Star Experience: Celebrating Ghana as Africa’s Gateway
- Tourism Activities: Heritage tours and experiential packages
About FESTAC
The Festival of African Arts and Culture (FESTAC) was first held in Dakar, Senegal, in 1966, and later in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1977. After a 45-year hiatus, the festival returned in 2022 in Zanzibar, followed by Tanzania (2023) and Kenya (2024). Ghana now proudly takes up the mantle to host this year’s historic edition.