The Lagos State Government has officially partnered with the organisers of the African Cultural Festival (ACF) for its 2025 edition, an initiative aimed at significantly strengthening diaspora engagement, attracting international investment, and firmly positioning Lagos as a “global hub for culture and tourism.” This pivotal international cultural exchange is themed ‘Africa to the World: Culture, Creativity, and Collaboration’, and seeks to elevate Lagos as a premier destination for African Americans and the broader global African diaspora.

The collaborative effort is designed not only to foster cultural ties but also to stimulate a robust tourism flow between Nigeria and the United States. Mr. Idris Aregbe, the Special Adviser to the Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tourism, Arts and Culture, announced that the festival will commence with a series of countdown activities across Lagos in July 2025. These activities will culminate in a grand festival event held in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States, on September 19 and 20, 2025.

Governor Sanwo-Olu’s endorsement of the festival underscores its alignment with the administration’s comprehensive THEMES+ agenda, particularly in areas of economic diversification and cultural diplomacy. Aregbe emphasized that the festival is more than just a vibrant display of culture; it represents a profound opportunity for Lagos to narrate its unique stories on a global platform, secure its place among leading global cultural hubs, and act as a catalyst for lasting socio-economic transformation. He stressed the importance of strengthening diaspora participation, asserting that achieving the vision of “building the Africa of our dreams demands unity, purpose, and commitment from Africans and all who believe in her future.”

Lagos State will be represented by a dynamic delegation comprising creatives, entrepreneurs, and innovators who are passionate about showcasing the region’s rich culture and its global relevance. A key highlight of the festival will be the ‘Celebrating African Elders’ event, where prominent cultural figures, including Nike Okundaye, founder of the renowned Nike Art Gallery, and Miss Phipps, an esteemed African cultural ambassador, will be honoured for their significant contributions to African wisdom and culture.

The festival itinerary is packed with diverse events designed to engage and enlighten attendees. These include the Africa Arise Leadership Summit, the vibrant Taste of Africa, the bustling ACF Marketplace, the deeply immersive African I-D-E-N-T-I-T-Y Exhibition, the forward-thinking NextGen Connect Youth Forum, and the crucial African Diaspora Summit. A major anticipated launch during the festival is Duduplugs, a cutting-edge digital innovation hub specifically designed to bridge Africa’s creative and economic sectors with global opportunities, thereby boosting tourism traffic to Lagos.

Furthermore, the African I-D-E-N-T-I-T-Y Exhibition will offer an elaborate showcase of African heritage through compelling storytelling, evocative visual art, and impactful film. The entire African Cultural Festival is spearheaded by ACI Entertainment, an organization with established operations in both Lagos, Nigeria, and Pennsylvania, United States. ACI Entertainment’s core mission is to elevate Africa’s creative economy onto the global stage, making this partnership a strategic move towards achieving that vision.