The curtain fell on the inaugural West African Arts and Culture Festival, ECOFEST Dakar 2025, on Friday, 5 December 2025, at the Daniel Sorano National Theatre. The closing ceremony, presided over by Senegal’s Minister of Culture, Crafts and Tourism, Mr. Amadou Ba, marked the end of a vibrant week of cultural activities held under the theme “Political Change and Crises in West Africa: What Can Culture Do?” The evening also featured the presentation of several artistic awards.

The grand finale provided an opportunity for senior officials from ECOWAS and UEMOA—co-organisers of the festival—together with Senegalese authorities, to highlight the achievements of ECOFEST 2025 and outline future prospects for this unifying initiative aimed at fostering cultural exchange, promoting people-to-people dialogue, and strengthening regional integration.

To celebrate the close of the festival, an exceptional artistic showcase honoured the diversity, creativity and dynamism of West African expression. Attendees enjoyed a vibrant display of the region’s cultural richness, brought to life by iconic performers, emerging talents and major cultural institutions. Featured acts included: the percussion ensemble of the children of the late Grand Tambour Major Doudou Ndiaye Coumba Rose; Senegal’s Bideew Bu Bess troupe; a multidisciplinary performance (dance, music, theatre) presented in collaboration with the National Festival of Arts and Cultures (FESNAC); Gambian kora virtuoso Jaliba Kouyaté; and celebrated Senegalese artists Coumba Gawlo Seck and Viviane Chidid.

The closing ceremony, devoted to the presentation of artistic awards, honoured several creators for the excellence and impact of their work.

In the Painting category, the awards were presented to:

• Youssoupha Sy from Senegal, winner of the 1st Prize, worth $10,000 US;
• Moses Love Boniface from Nigeria, winner of the 2nd Prize, worth $5,000 US;
• Agoua Djampa Ahouo Ange Olivier, known as Anvilo, from Côte d’Ivoire, winner of the third prize, worth $2,000 US.

In the Sculpture category, the prizes were awarded as follows:

• Moses Rimamtari Tuki from Nigeria, first prize ($10,000 US);
• Davitson César A. Livramento de Almeida from Cape Verde, 2nd Prize ($5,000 US);
• Akogonya Elikplim Afi from Togo, 3rd Prize ($2,000 US).

Finally, in the Photography category, the winners are:

• Benjamin Thoronka from Sierra Leone, 1st Prize ($10,000 US);
• Quintino Ramalho da Silva from Guinea-Bissau, 2nd Prize ($5,000 US);
• Eder Lenine Frederico Martins from Cabo Verde, 3rd Prize ($2,000 US).

The ceremony was attended by Mr. Bakary Sarr, Secretary of State for Culture, Creative Industries and Historical Heritage of Senegal; Prof. Fatou Sow Sarr, ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs; Mr. Mamadu Serifo Jaquite, UEMOA Commissioner for Human Development; as well as several leading institutional partners who supported the organisation of this historic first edition of the West African Festival of Arts and Culture.