Ejiro Efenudu
Kinshasa, the capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is getting ready to host the first World Music and Tourism Festival from July 16 to 18, 2025. The event will celebrate how music and tourism can bring people together, create jobs, and support peace and development.
The festival will be held under the High Patronage of President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi and supported by UN Tourism. It is expected to attract musicians, artists, tourism leaders, and visitors from around the world.
Celebrating Music and Culture
The World Music and Tourism Festival will take place at several major locations in Kinshasa, including the Central African Cultural and Arts Centre (CCAPAC), the Palais du Peuple, and the Échangeur de Limete. The program will feature live performances, exhibitions, and cultural experiences.
The festival will highlight four music genres:
- Traditional Music
- Urban Music
- Folk Music
- Congolese Rumba
Congolese Rumba, which was added to UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2021, will be the star of the event. Visitors will enjoy concerts, fashion shows, art exhibitions, and even a river cruise on the Congo River.
There will also be a Cultural Village, where attendees can explore local crafts, cuisine, and creative products.
A Platform for Ideas and Dialogue
In addition to music, the festival includes a Professional Forum with panel discussions, roundtables, and workshops. Topics will include:
- Music and peacebuilding
- The role of youth in creative industries
- Fair pay and rights for artists
- Tourism promotion through music
- Digital tools for music and tourism
- Copyright and intellectual property
These conversations aim to show how music and tourism can be used as tools for dialogue, innovation, and sustainable growth.
Boosting Tourism and the Economy
The festival is part of a wider effort by the Congolese government to promote tourism, improve the country’s image, and support the creative economy. The event aligns with the UN Tourism Agenda for Africa, which focuses on cultural tourism and economic inclusion.
Tourism Minister Didier M’Pambia Musanga said the goal is to “make culture and tourism engines of peace, dialogue, and inclusive development.” He hopes the event will help the DRC change the way the world sees the country—moving beyond its history of conflict to highlight its rich culture and vibrant people.
The festival’s total value is estimated at USD 3 million, showing a strong investment in the future of music, tourism, and youth innovation in the region.
International Support
UN Tourism has praised the event for bringing together culture, creativity, and sustainable tourism. “The festival shows how music can support peace and prosperity,” said a UN Tourism spokesperson.
Kinshasa has been recognized as a UNESCO Creative City of Music since 2015, and the festival aims to strengthen its role as a cultural leader in Africa and beyond.
How to Join
The event is free to attend, but registration is required. Participants can register online through the official website. The festival will be held in French and English, with translation available in Spanish as well.
Organizers encourage people from all backgrounds to take part—whether they are music lovers, students, tourism professionals, or community leaders.
Final Note:
The World Music and Tourism Festival is more than just a music event. It’s a celebration of African culture, unity, and creativity, showing how powerful music can be in shaping the future of tourism, peace, and development.
