In collaboration with Cross River State, Akwa Ibom State has been selected to host the ECOWAS Food and Cultural Festival 2024 (EFCF). This grand event promises to showcase the rich cultural diversity and gastronomic excellence of the 15 ECOWAS member countries. The festival, scheduled from October 24 to 27, 2024, will be held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom’s capital, and will be a dazzling celebration of West African culture, food, and creativity**.
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A Grand Celebration of West African Heritage
The 2024 edition of the ECOWAS Food and Cultural Festival is set to immerse attendees in the vibrant cultures of West Africa. With music, dance, food, art, and cultural showcases from across the region, the festival is designed to celebrate both unity and diversity within ECOWAS.
Visitors will have the chance to experience culinary masterpieces prepared by renowned chefs featuring traditional dishes that tell the stories of their native lands. In addition to food, attendees will be treated to performances from cultural troupes representing the musical and dance traditions of the member countries. The festival will also provide interactive art and craft workshops, allowing attendees to engage with West Africa’s artistic heritage firsthand.
Key Events and Highlights
The ECOWAS Food and Cultural Festival will host a variety of engaging events over the four days, celebrating all aspects of West African culture. Among the anticipated highlights are the Miss ECOWAS Festival Beauty Pageant. There will also be a Business CEOs Summit on food security, economic integration, and sustainable development.
Cultural exhibitions will showcase regional food products, traditional arts, and crafts. A Food Expo will provide indigenous food businesses and vendors a platform to display their products and services, boosting local entrepreneurship and promoting tourism. The event will also feature a Youth and Women Forum, focusing on empowerment, development, and innovation.
Why Akwa Ibom Was Chosen as Host
Akwa Ibom’s selection as the festival host is a testament to the state’s cultural diversity, peaceful environment, and strong infrastructural capacity. Known for its agrarian nature and hospitality, Akwa Ibom is home to some of Nigeria’s finest food delicacies and tourism potential, making it the perfect backdrop for an event of this magnitude.
Prof. Sola Aliu, Chairman of the National Central Working Committee (NCWC), and Amb. Prince Felix Ihonre, Director General of the ECOWAS Food and Cultural Festival, emphasized that Akwa Ibom’s modern infrastructure, including well-maintained roads, venues, airports, and accommodation options, makes it ideal for hosting international visitors and events. Cross River State’s co-hosting role further enhances the festival’s appeal, leveraging the region’s cultural richness and tourism potential.
Expected Attendance and Economic Impact
The 2024 ECOWAS Food and Cultural Festival is expected to draw over 10,000 direct participants and thousands more spectators from around the world. It will attract 15,000 visitors and engage over 30 million virtual attendees via media broadcasts. Attendees will include Presidents, Heads of State, government representatives, business executives, traditional rulers, and leading figures in culture, tourism, and development.
In addition to showcasing cultural tourism and promoting regional collaboration, the festival aims to stimulate economic growth through increased investment in the ECOWAS region. The event is expected to boost local businesses, promote inbound tourism, and provide opportunities for investment partnerships across West Africa’s food, culture, and tourism sectors.