The dynamic framework of West Africa’s creative industries has received a notable enhancement with the successful development and completion of the “Directory of Cultural Organisations in West Africa.” This initiative was commissioned in 2010 by the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and was entrusted to ALG.

The directory stands as a pivotal initiative of the Regional Fund for Cooperation and Cultural Exchanges in West Africa. Its primary objective is to systematically map and catalogue cultural entities throughout the region, thereby providing a foundational resource for collaboration and development within the creative sector.

The geographical and artistic scope of the directory is extensive, encompassing organizations across multiple West African nations and diverse cultural domains, including:

Countries Covered: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Liberia, Mali, and Mauritania.

Cultural Domains:
– Multi-domains
– Performing arts
– Visual arts
– Film
– Literature
– Heritage
– Visual arts and crafts
– Comics

The establishment of this directory underscores a dynamic and proactive approach by WAEMU and ECOWAS in structuring a framework for the creative industries. By commissioning such a comprehensive mapping of the sector, these institutions have laid the groundwork necessary to promote regional cooperation and cultural exchanges. This initiative signifies a commitment to the professionalization and strategic development of the creative sector, recognizing its substantial economic and social potential within the West African region.

Furthermore, Africa Label Group is currently engaged in discussions with its regional partners, ECOWAS and WAEMU, regarding the development of a new directory. The resulting directory serves as a robust instrument to connect artists, organizations, and policymakers, thereby facilitating future growth and formalizing the creative industries as a fundamental component of the regional economy.