The Lagos State Government has officially announced a strategic partnership with the African Cultural Festival (ACF) ahead of its 2025 edition. The initiative, themed “Africa to the World: Culture, Creativity, and Collaboration,” will kick off with countdown activities across Lagos in July, building momentum toward the main event scheduled for September 19 and 20 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA.
Speaking on the significance of this collaboration, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Idris Aregbe, emphasized the importance of reinforcing Lagos’ cultural presence on the global stage while promoting stronger diaspora engagement and enhancing economic impact through creative exchange.
“Our Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, sees the festival as aligned with our administration’s THEMES+ agenda, particularly around economic diversification and cultural diplomacy, which is why he approved our participation,” Aregbe said.
He further described the festival as a platform rich with potential beyond visual celebration, stating, “While it may appear to be a festival of colours, we see beyond that. We see the opportunities it presents to tell our stories and secure a seat among global cultural hubs.”
Aregbe also highlighted the festival’s role in fostering unity and socio-economic transformation, adding, “We aim to strengthen diaspora participation, because building the Africa of our dreams demands unity, purpose, and commitment from Africans and all who believe in her future.”
African Cultural Festival 2025 to Spotlight Icons, Innovation, and Global Collaboration
The Lagos delegation to the festival will include creatives, entrepreneurs, and innovators who are passionate about culture and its relevance on the global stage. According to the organizers, the 2025 edition is expected to draw participation from African and diaspora leaders, U.S. legislators, global creatives, and cultural stakeholders across media and enterprise.
As part of the festival’s standout events, cultural icons such as Nike Okundaye of Nike Art Gallery and Miss Phipps will be honoured during the ‘Celebrating African Elders’ segment, recognizing their roles as living embodiments of African wisdom and tradition.
Festival highlights include the Africa Arise Leadership Summit, ACF Marketplace, Taste of Africa, African I-D-E-N-T-I-T-Y Exhibition, NextGen Connect Youth Forum, African Diaspora Summit, ACF Runway, and the official launch of Duduplugs—a creative innovation platform designed to link Africa’s artistic and entrepreneurial sectors with global opportunities.
The African I-D-E-N-T-I-T-Y Exhibition will place a spotlight on African heritage through storytelling, visual arts, and film, while the Duduplugs platform is expected to significantly boost tourism interest in Lagos starting next year.
Organized by ACI Entertainment, which operates out of both Lagos and Pennsylvania, the African Cultural Festival aims to elevate Africa’s creative economy and solidify its presence on the global cultural map.
Stay updated on Lagos State’s global cultural initiatives and explore more inspiring stories on African creativity, enterprise, and diaspora engagement.
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