In this joint interview, Abdramane Kamaté discusses the stereotypes that still persist around African performing arts, the growing momentum of collaborations between African countries, and MASA’s transformation into a true ecosystem serving industry professionals.

What stereotypes or preconceived notions about African performing arts still persist in international networks?

For Abdramane Kamaté, the primary stereotype is referring to “African art” as a homogeneous bloc: “Africa is not a country; it is a continent of 54 countries, with an extraordinary diversity of cultures, aesthetics and artistic trajectories.” He adds that international professionals would benefit from coming “without preconceived expectations” to discover a scene “of remarkable richness and inventiveness.”

Are collaborations between African countries growing stronger?

Kamaté has no doubt: “African collaborations are no longer an ambition; they have become a reality.” For him, MASA is proof of this: “At each edition, professionals from across the continent come together to explore new partnerships.” He also emphasises that “exchanges between Francophone, Anglophone, Lusophone and Arabic-speaking communities are becoming increasingly frequent.”

“African collaborations are no longer an ambition; they have become a reality.”

Since its creation, how has MASA’s role evolved in shaping African professional networks?

“MASA began as a performing arts market,” recalls Kamaté. “Today, it has become a true ecosystem.” Beyond promoting works, the institution now supports “artists, producers and cultural entrepreneurs through training, mentoring, incubation via the MASA Lab and networking.” This support is intended to be ongoing: “We want to be there for them throughout their careers, not just during a week-long festival.”

About CINARS

CINARS is a Canadian organisation whose mission is to promote and support the export of the performing arts. Its main objectives are to encourage cultural creations emerging from the performing arts sector; promote commercial discussions between organisations specialising in production and show presentation; and to make Montreal a worldwide hub of performance art networking by organising the CINARS Biennale.

A true crossroads for the performing arts, the CINARS Biennale offers a strategic showcase for artists and promotes the circulation of works around the world. For one week, performances, workshops, networking events and conferences take place in the city’s major cultural venues.

The 2026 CINARS Biennale takes place from 9 to 14 November 2026 in Montreal, Canada. To register and discover the programme, visit cinars.org/en.

Source: “Africa today: Prosperous and thriving,” CINARS – Connected Voices, International Arts Manager (interview conducted by Gilles Doré).

A Notable Appearance at MASA

In April 2026, she represented Senegal at the 14th edition of the Marché des Arts et du Spectacle Africain d’Abidjan (MASA), alongside choreographer Khoudia Touré and puppeteer Mamby Mawine, among sixty artists selected from twenty-eight African countries. It was in Abidjan that she asserted a new artistic direction: moving beyond the strictly rap-oriented image that had first brought her recognition, she unveiled an Afro-pop and Afro-urban sound, steeped in R&B, soul, and Wolof rhythms – a transformation that did not go unnoticed by the international programmers in attendance.

MASA: A Springboard That Delivers

It is no coincidence that so many artists regard MASA as an essential rite of passage. It remains one of the rare gatherings where a single performance can, within minutes, open the door to dozens of international markets: festivals, labels, broadcasters, and promoters attend precisely to identify the next African scene that will matter. For Oumy, this showcase served as a genuine catalyst, placing her firmly within the sights of major event programmers.

Bound for Rabat: Visa for Music 2026

Organised by ANYA Culture and Atlas Azawan, Visa for Music stands as the foremost music market and festival dedicated to Africa and the Middle East, with its 13th edition set to take place from 18 to 21 November 2026 in Rabat. It is there that Oumy now continues her ascent, within a lineup renowned for its diversity and artistic rigour. Having captivated West Africa, she is poised to reach an expanded audience across the Maghreb, the Middle East, and professionals from around the world – the natural continuation of the pan-African springboard that MASA provided.

A Momentum Already Underway Internationally

The timing is no accident: her EP Fleur d’Hibiscus, released on 3 July 2026, is described as her most personal work to date, carried by themes of renewal, identity, and openness to the world, and currently accompanies an international tour taking her through several cities across Europe and the United Kingdom. Visa for Music thus represents not an isolated triumph, but the continuation of a trajectory already in motion.

See You in Rabat

A Show Born from Incubation

La Poupée Barbue is one of the fruits of MASA LAB, the creative support program of the first cohort financed by the French Embassy in Ivory Coast. This production will be presented at the Les Zébrures – Les Francophonies – From Writings to Performance festival.

The Show: A Rare Force of Expression

Based on the text by Cameroonian playwright Édouard Elvis Bvouma, La Poupée Barbue tells the story of the insolent lucidity of a young girl marked by refugee camps and the violence of armed conflict. It is a raw voice, infused with dark humor and tenderness, where imagination still resists the abyss. Souleymane Sow chooses restraint and the shock of presences, sculpting shifting spaces where light, music and body extend this nervous language that seems to surge from the depths of the character.

Les Zébrures: A Fine Recognition

Les Zébrures – Les Francophonies – From Writings to Performance is a major gathering for the performing arts. Held in Limoges, France from September 23 to October 3, 2026, this festival highlights the most inventive contemporary theater writings and creations. It is a wonderful recognition for Cie Tell’Arts and for the projects supported by MASA LAB.

Moving Forward and Growing

For Cie Tell’Arts, this participation confirms the relevance of our partnership. It demonstrates how artists supported by MASA transform accompaniment into living creation. Souleymane Sow and his company are embarking on a month-long European tour that will take them to France and Germany, offering audiences an opportunity to discover a singular theatrical universe, enriched by the MASA LAB experience.

To be discovered in Limoges, from September 23 to October 3, at Les Zébrures 2026.

Launched on August 18, 2025, at the Institut Pédagogique National de l’Enseignement Technique et Professionnel (IPNETP) in Cocody, this program is implemented by MASA under the guidance of the consulting firm Bouchra Consulting, with funding from the Fonds de Développement de la Formation Professionnelle (FDFP). It is part of a broader ambition: to progressively strengthen the skills of 1,000 Ivorian cultural professionals per year, drawn from various segments of the cultural ecosystem.

This first phase enabled the 200 beneficiaries to develop skills in several key areas essential to the professionalization of their activities: technical and digital innovation, entrepreneurship, management, business formalization, and business development.

The training was also complemented by individual coaching support, designed to help each beneficiary design and finalize their business plan. The goal is to equip cultural entrepreneurs with structured, viable projects capable of attracting funding from the government, donors, and technical and financial partners.

Beyond the certificate presentation, this ceremony represents an important milestone in MASA’s ongoing efforts to professionalize and structure cultural entrepreneurship in Côte d’Ivoire.

It marks not an end, but a new starting point for the 200 beneficiaries, who are now expected to apply the knowledge and tools acquired during their training. It also paves the way for upcoming cohorts, in a momentum set to continue over the coming months.

The program will be progressively rolled out to several cities across the country’s interior, in order to broaden its impact and contribute to the goal of training and supporting 1,000 cultural professionals annually.

A Journey Shaped by MASA Lab Incubation

Selected through MASA Lab—the incubation and acceleration program of the Marché des Arts du Spectacle Africain (MASA) in Abidjan—Ruth Tafébé refined her unique artistic universe during this residency. Supported by the French Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire via the Fonds Équipe France (FEF), this initiative professionalizes artists, teams, and cultural operators in music, dance, and theater

Through tailored training, technical and creative support, and backing for national and international distribution, MASA Lab catapults emerging talents into the spotlight. For Ruth, this experience was pivotal: she honed afropop rhythms interwoven with traditional Ivorian influences, all carried by introspective lyrics.

Passage: An Inner Journey in 10 Unreleased Tracks

The album Passage delves into themes of inner journeys, resilience, and life’s transitions. Comprising 10 unreleased tracks, it stems from collaborations with exceptional producers. Ruth Tafébé displays remarkable artistic maturity, blending modernity and roots to craft a sound that’s both universal and deeply rooted in Ivorian identity.

This opus not only marks the end of a fruitful residency but also the dawn of a new era for the artist, ready to conquer local and international stages.

Program for a Festive and Accessible Evening

The event, free and open to the public, promises total immersion in Ruth Tafébé’s universe. Here’s what awaits attendees:

• Discover live previews of Passage‘s standout tracks.
• Engage in exclusive exchanges with the artist about her journey and inspirations.
• Celebrate her inspiring path alongside professionals, cultural partners, and fans.

This residency showcase offers a rare chance to meet a rising artist and savor the fruits of a program that spotlights African creativity.

Ruth Tafébé embodies the energy of a new generation of Ivorian artists—those bold enough to mix traditions and innovations to tell universal stories. Don’t miss this key moment in Abidjan’s cultural life—the spots will go fast!