The city of Rabat has taken a significant step forward in its continental influence with the inauguration of the permanent headquarters of the African Capitals of Culture (CAC). This pan-African institution, now firmly established in the Moroccan capital, aims to leverage culture as a vital tool for development, integration, and cooperation among African nations.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by numerous distinguished figures from the cultural, diplomatic, and institutional spheres, including the president of the CAC Committee, Adama Traoré, the interim Secretary-General of the Moroccan Ministry of Culture, Salah-Eddine Abkari, as well as several accredited African ambassadors in Morocco.
The establishment of this headquarters in Rabat illustrates Morocco's commitment to collective African action and intercultural dialogue. It aligns with the vision of King Mohammed VI, who prioritizes South-South cooperation, human development, and the enhancement of African heritage as strategic imperatives for the Kingdom.
In a message delivered on his behalf, the Moroccan Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, emphasized the continent's exceptional richness characterized by its cultural and linguistic diversity. He affirmed that the establishment of the CAC headquarters in Rabat reflects the intention to position culture as a cornerstone of sustainable, inclusive, and innovative African development models.
The Moroccan minister also stressed the significance of cultural and creative industries, which are viewed as a promising sector for an increasingly skilled and connected African youth. He assured that the African Capitals of Culture program will enhance the continent's cultural, media, and digital sovereignty in the face of contemporary challenges.
Adama Traoré, President of the CAC Committee, noted that this initiative originated from the Africities summit held in Marrakech in 2018, highlighting that culture serves as a crucial engine for economic transformation, innovation, and social cohesion. "More than just an administrative seat, the new institution in Rabat," he stated, "is meant to be a 'common house' designed to promote exchanges, partnerships, and networking among African cultural actors."
The permanent headquarters of the African Capitals of Culture is set to support future host cities of the program, with the next edition scheduled for 2028 in Praia, the capital of Cape Verde. It will also contribute to the implementation of the African Union and its Agenda 2063, which aims to build an integrated, creative, and forward-looking Africa.
As reported by agenceafrique.com.
