• MASA 2026 gathers artists and industry professionals from over 28 countries in Abidjan.

• The event features 99 performances across market and festival segments.

• Organizers position MASA as a platform for cultural integration, business networking and industry development.

Africa struggles to achieve full cultural integration amid ongoing security challenges. However, the biennial Market for African Performing Arts (MASA) offers a credible alternative by bringing together diverse cultures and artistic expertise.

Since Saturday, April 11, Abidjan has hosted the 14th edition of MASA. Artists, producers and distributors have gathered in Côte d’Ivoire’s economic capital for a week of performances and professional meetings dedicated to African cultural industries.

During an emotional and vibrant opening ceremony, Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé praised the festival as a unique event on the continent. “MASA brings together creative talents from Côte d’Ivoire and abroad and showcases the best of each culture,” he said, highlighting its role in promoting intercultural dialogue.

MASA operates as a cultural development program for African performing arts and will run until Saturday, April 18. The 2026 edition features a particularly rich program, including 99 performances split into two segments. Organizers selected 60 groups from 28 countries for the Market segment, while 39 groups from 23 countries will perform in the Festival segment.

The Market aims to encourage artistic creation, facilitate the circulation of works and artists, train performing arts professionals and stimulate the sector in Africa and globally.

A Lever for Integration Among Creators

“Performing arts in Africa: a tool for economic and social integration” serves as the theme of MASA 2026. Organizers designed the event as a meeting and exchange platform and as a recurring forum to strengthen ties between nations through the unifying power of the arts.

“The Abidjan arts market is not only a festival, it is above all a professional marketplace. It allows artists to meet programmers, producers, distributors and investors from several countries,” said Abou Kamaté, Director General of MASA, in an interview with Abidjan Show.

He added that the event promotes networking and aims to strengthen the entire cultural industries ecosystem. He stressed that compliance with international professional standards remains essential for participating artists and, more broadly, for all festival stakeholders.

Organizers selected Morocco as the guest of honor and Brazil as the special guest, reflecting a broader ambition for international openness and integration.

Moroccan delegation, MASA 2026

Behind the Scenes of MASA

MASA extends beyond the Market segment. It also includes a festival, a professional forum, training workshops and networking spaces for African creative industries.

The MASA Festival represents the entertainment component of the event and hosts performances by emerging and non-selected artists. It serves as a springboard to accelerate the international careers of selected performers. In addition, organizers run complementary activity sections.

The MASA School program gathers nearly 20,000 students from secondary schools and offers youth-focused programming, including puppet shows, storytelling, theatre and children’s workshops. Meanwhile, the MASA Village provides a social space featuring exhibitions, gastronomy and live entertainment.

This article was initially published in French by Ubrick F. Quenum

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum