4
Days of celebration9–12 December 2026, Accra
AUDA-NEPAD · A LEGACY RESTORED
AFESTACC + ISWA 2026
A Legacy Restored · African Festival of Arts, Culture and Creatives
◷ Dec 9–12, 2026⌖ La Palm Royal Beach Hotel · Accra, Ghana
27days to go
30,000+
Participants expectedDelegates, creatives and the public60
Years since Dakar 1966The Diamond Jubilee25
Years of AUDA-NEPADAUDA-NEPAD @ 25What is AFESTACC?
AFESTACC 2026, the African Festival of Arts, Culture and Creatives, is AUDA-NEPAD's flagship continental platform that celebrates Africa's cultural wealth while unlocking its power to drive development, enterprise, tourism, investment, employment and continental integration.
Read more about AFESTACC
ALSO IN ACCRA · DAY 2 · 10 DECEMBER
Industrial Skills Week Africa (ISWA 2026)
A continental platform bringing together governments, industry, training institutions and development partners to align skills systems with Africa's industrial growth. One registration covers AFESTACC and ISWA 2026.
About ISWA 202601
Celebrate
Africa's extraordinary diversity in music, art, fashion, film, gastronomy, heritage and creative expression.
02
Unlock
The power of culture and creativity to drive enterprise, tourism, innovation, skills and employment.
03
Build
A connected, inclusive platform for Pan-African unity, opportunity and cooperation.
Why 2026?
The 60th anniversary of the First World Festival of Black Arts offers a defining moment to reconnect generations through a shared cultural legacy.
Why Ghana?
Pan-African heritageGhana's place in the history of African independence and continental unity.
Diaspora connectionsA global destination for cultural exchange and engagement.
Creative energyVibrant creative industries, heritage, music and hospitality.
1966 — 2026
A legacy restored
Honouring the past. Inspiring the present. Shaping the future.
2026
AFESTACC · Ghana
A renewed platform connecting African creativity, dialogue, heritage, culture and the next generation.
OUR PURPOSE
What AFESTACC seeks to achieve
01Revive the legacy
01Revive the legacy
Re-establish a continental cultural platform rooted in Dakar 1966, PANAF 1969 and FESTAC ’77.
02Unlock the creative economy
Advance investment, tourism, innovation, skills and opportunities for African creators.
03Celebrate African excellence
Showcase music, dance, fashion, art, film, gastronomy, heritage and sport.
04Connect Africa and its Diaspora
Strengthen cultural exchange, identity and global engagement.
05Create partnerships
Bring policymakers, creatives, the private sector and Member States together.
06Build a lasting future
Support a recurring continental platform for culture-led development.
9–12 DECEMBER, ACCRA
Programme highlights
The opening on Wednesday, ISWA 2026 on Thursday, AUDA-NEPAD @ 25 and Afro Gastro on Friday, and the Unity Walk on Saturday.
DAY 1
9 December 2026
28 sessions
- Arrival, Registration and Hybrid Connection
- Opening Prayer
- National Anthem and African Union Anthem
- Welcome Remarks
DAY 2
10 December 2026
42 sessions
- Arrival, Registration and Hybrid Connection
- Welcome Remarks
- Remarks from Partners
- Remarks from the AUC
DAY 3
11 December 2026
23 sessions
- Arrival, Registration and Hybrid Connection
- Introductions and Welcome
- Welcome and overview of AUDA-NEPAD since inception
- Overview of AUDA-NEPAD since Inception
DAY 4
12 December 2026
5 sessions
- Assembly at the Meeting Point
- Wellness Walk (5 km)
- Arrival at the Meeting Point
- Announcements, Declaration and Closing
Featured speakers
H.E. John Dramani Mahama
The President of the Republic of Ghana
H.E. Mrs. Nardos Bekele-Thomas
The Chief Executive Officer
Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie (MP)
The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts
Hon. Haruna Iddrisu (MP)
The Minister for Education
Partners & supporters
Experience AFESTACC on your phone.
The free event app has your pass, the programme with your own agenda, live sessions and updates from the organisers. It installs from your phone's browser: no app store needed.
- 01Programme & my agendaEvery session, with your own agenda and reminders.
- 02Live & on the dayLive streams, session updates and announcements.
- 03Speakers & partnersProfiles, presentations and who you can meet.
- 04Travel & stayGetting to Accra, accommodation and venue information.
- 05Exhibitor marketplaceDiscover exhibitors' projects, products and services, and contact them.
Add it to your home screen: on Android, open the app and tap Install; on iPhone, tap Share → Add to Home Screen.
Scan with your phone camera
Opens the event in the event app
Travel & stay in Accra
Practical starting points for planning your event visit.
Accommodation
Find a place to stay near La Palm Royal Beach Hotel · check-in 9 Dec, check-out 13 Dec (4 nights).
Booking.comHotels & apartmentsAirbnbHomes & roomsExpediaHotels & packagesGoogle HotelsCompare prices
Opens the provider's site with the location and event dates filled in; change them there if you arrive earlier or stay longer. Prices, availability and bookings are handled by the provider.
Good to know
Registered delegates will be able to receive a visa support letter once registration opens.
Questions? Use Contact the organisers in the More menu.
Getting to Accra
Venues and logistical arrangements are being finalised with our Ghanaian counterparts and will be published here once confirmed.
Flights to Accra
Information on preferred airline arrangements will be shared here as soon as it is available.
Travel tips
Request a visa support letter through the full delegate registration if you need one.
An information desk will be available in Accra; details will be shared before the event.
Keep your registration confirmation with you when travelling.
From the festival
Want the photos? Every festival photo is in the free event app: open it to view the full gallery and download pictures in full quality.
Open the gallery in the appWho takes part
A continental gathering for everyone who shapes, celebrates and invests in Africa's culture, creativity and skills.
Member States & governments
AU Member States and government representatives.
- Member State pavilions in the AFESTACC Village
- High-level engagements and launches
- Cultural presentations every evening
Creatives & cultural practitioners
Artists, designers, performers, chefs and cultural entrepreneurs.
- Creative marketplace and showcases
- Fashion, music and performance
- Afro Gastro and culinary experiences
Skills & TVET stakeholders
Training institutions, regulators, employers and young professionals.
- ISWA 2026 dialogues on skills, industry and jobs
- TVET Excellence Awards
- Youth and women enterprise sessions
Partners, private sector & exhibitors
Development partners, sponsors, investors and businesses.
- Exhibition and activation opportunities
- Investment and partnership engagements
- Diaspora investment forum
Frequently asked questions
What is AFESTACC?
The African Festival of Arts, Culture and Creatives (AFESTACC) is AUDA-NEPAD's flagship continental platform. It celebrates Africa's cultural wealth while unlocking its power to drive development, enterprise, tourism, investment, employment and continental integration.
When and where does it take place?
From 9 to 12 December 2026 in Accra, Ghana, with the Government of Ghana as host partner. The specific venues are being finalised and will be published here once confirmed.
What is ISWA 2026, and do I register separately?
Industrial Skills Week Africa (ISWA 2026) is part of the Festival, with its main programme on Thursday 10 December. One registration covers AFESTACC and ISWA: tick the days and activities you are interested in.
Who can take part?
Member States and government representatives, creatives and cultural practitioners, development partners, private-sector actors, sponsors, exhibitors, skills and TVET stakeholders, the African Diaspora and the general public.
How do I register?
Register your interest on this website or in the event app. Accreditation, VIP/VVIP arrangements and detailed participation information will be shared as they are finalised.
Is there a programme?
A provisional programme is available under Programme. Times, sessions and speakers are subject to confirmation; performances, artists and evening schedules will be announced as they are confirmed.
Will I receive a visa support letter?
Delegates who need one can request a visa support letter when completing the full delegate registration.
Can my organisation partner, sponsor or exhibit?
Yes. Apply on the Partner with us page of this website or in the event app (More → Partner with us). You will receive a private link to follow your application and talk to the organising team. Questions: AFESTACC@auda-nepad.org.
How do I contact the organisers?
Write to AFESTACC@auda-nepad.org or use the contact form on this website.
Let's build an African legacy together.
Join the exchange of ideas, talent, opportunity and culture.