A new milestone has been reached in the development of African cultural cooperation with the official inauguration in Rabat of the headquarters of the Permanent Secretariat of the African Capitals of Culture. This establishment further confirms the Kingdom of Morocco’s role as a key player in cultural diplomacy across the continent.
Now based in the Moroccan capital, the Permanent Secretariat will be responsible for supporting future host cities of the program, strengthening cultural exchanges among African countries, and promoting culture as a driver of economic development, social cohesion, and international influence.
Under the leadership of Khalid Tamer, the Secretariat will oversee the coordination and monitoring of upcoming editions of the pan-African program.
The inauguration comes as preparations for the 2028 edition are already underway. The African Capitals of Culture Committee recently signed an agreement with Cabo Verde for the organization of the next edition, which will take place in Praia, the country’s capital city.
The program builds on the success of the first edition of the African Capitals of Culture, held in Rabat from 2022 to 2023 under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. Throughout the year, the city hosted numerous artistic and cultural events, fostering exchanges among African creators and showcasing the richness and diversity of the continent’s cultural heritage.
The establishment of the Secretariat’s headquarters in Rabat also reflects Morocco’s commitment to South-South cooperation and to strengthening Africa’s cultural and creative industries. It aligns with the objectives of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which recognizes culture as a strategic lever for sustainable development and continental integration.
On this occasion, the African Capitals of Culture Committee praised the efforts of Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid in bringing this structuring project for Africa to fruition.
With the official opening of its headquarters in Rabat and the preparation of the 2028 edition in Cabo Verde, the program is entering a new phase of development aimed at enhancing its local impact and expanding its international reach.