Cultural experts from ECOWAS member states validated a regional cultural calendar of 624 events at a three-day technical meeting in Lomé, Togo, that also advanced plans for an ECOWAS Cultural Magazine.
The meeting ran from 21 to 23 October 2026 at Hotel Lebene and was convened by the ECOWAS Commission through its Directorate of Education, Science and Culture, according to a report from the Economic Community of West African States.
In the report, the Commission said the exercise formed part of its efforts to promote Cultural and Creative Industries and the regional market for cultural goods and services, strengthen the governance and culture information system in the region, and raise the visibility of West Africa’s diverse cultural expressions and events.
Dr Roland Kouakou, Director of Education, Science and Culture at the ECOWAS Commission, spoke on behalf of Prof Nassirou Bako-Arifari, the Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs.
Kouakou said that through digital technologies ECOWAS seeks to strengthen the cultural information system and cooperation among member states while supporting the visibility and development of cultural and creative industries throughout West Africa.
The technical sessions validated cultural calendar submissions covering the 624 events, with scope for further additions, and worked on developing a harmonised regional cultural database.
The sessions also explored strategies for providing technical support to major national and international cultural events, and reviewed the criteria for financial support to significant festivals, biennials and cultural projects with regional scope.
Participants recommended that the regional cultural calendar be updated annually to strengthen regional cultural statistics, that funding for significant cultural events be enhanced, and that a regional cultural magazine be produced every two years to increase the visibility of events of historical and cultural significance across member states.
The Commission said it remains committed to projects that strengthen cultural bonds, promote the free movement of people, trade, goods and services, and support regional cohesion through the arts and culture.
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