Rabat has been designated as the headquarters of the Permanent Secretariat of the African Capitals of Culture program, marking a new step in continental cultural cooperation.
The secretariat, inaugurated in the Moroccan capital, will oversee coordination of the initiative, support future host cities and strengthen collaboration among African cultural actors.
It is also intended to boost the international profile of African creative industries.
Created in 2018 during the Africités summit in Marrakech, the African Capitals of Culture program aims to promote culture as a driver of development across the continent, with backing from the African Union.
The initiative encourages artistic exchange, facilitates mobility for creators and highlights African cultural heritage.
Rabat was the first city to hold the title of African Capital of Culture between June 2022 and May 2023. That edition drew more than 1.5 million attendees and involved around 4,000 artists and 3,000 cultural professionals, organizers had said.
The current cycle for 2025–2026 is being jointly hosted by Brazzaville and Kinshasa, while preparations are under way for the 2028 edition in Praia, Cape Verde.