FG to launch African Global Festival October

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The Federal Government is set to launch the African Global Festival Nigeria, known as AGLOFEST, in October, with the initiative expected to combine cultural diplomacy with trade, investment and engagement with the global Black Diaspora.

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The festival, being developed under a public-private partnership, received presidential approval, according to a statement obtained by The PUNCH on Sunday.

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The initiative will bring together government leaders, investors, businesses, cultural institutions, creative industry practitioners, entrepreneurs, development partners and members of the global Black Diaspora.

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It is being developed in collaboration with relevant Federal Government ministries, departments and agencies, including the Ministries of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy; Trade, Investment and Industry; and Foreign Affairs.

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The initiative is expected to showcase Nigeria’s cultural heritage, tourism assets and creative industries while providing a platform for commercial and institutional partnerships between Nigeria, Africa and the wider Black Diaspora.

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The Federal Government had separately announced the October launch through the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr Ibrahim Kana, who said President Bola Tinubu had approved the initiative.

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According to the statement, AGLOFEST is intended to use culture as an entry point for wider economic engagement, with organisers targeting opportunities in tourism, hospitality, aviation, transportation, entertainment, creative industries, trade, investment and infrastructure.

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The festival will have three major components: the Black Diaspora Economic Forum, which will focus on trade, investment and business partnerships; the Black Diaspora Cultural Presentation, which will showcase African heritage and creative expression; and the Renewed Global Hope and Peace Concert, centred on music, peace and unity.

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The Convener of AGLOFEST and Chief Executive Officer of T-BYK, Tunde MacAlabi, thanked the President for approving the initiative and acknowledged the participating ministries and agencies for their support.

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MacAlabi said the presidential approval represented a major step towards establishing the festival as an international platform for Nigeria’s engagement with the African Diaspora.

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He said, “AGLOFEST was conceived as a platform through which Nigeria can deepen its economic, cultural and strategic relationship with the global Black Diaspora.

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“The October 2026 launch will mark the beginning of a new chapter in positioning Nigeria as a leading global hub for Black cultural expression, investment, tourism and economic cooperation.”

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The organisers said preparations were ongoing, including engagements with prospective international participants, investors, sponsors, cultural organisations, strategic partners and members of the global Black Diaspora.

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The festival’s development builds on an earlier version of the AGLOFEST project announced in 2025, when organisers described it as a cultural and socio-economic platform aimed at connecting Africans and the Black Diaspora through culture, creativity and business.

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The organiser said they are seeking participation from state governments, private-sector organisations, international institutions, development partners and cultural organisations as the Federal Government prepares for the October launch.

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