AFIDFF Showcases African Heritage at Youth Leadership and Culture Summit in Benin

The African International Documentary Festival Foundation (AFIDFF) participated in the African Youth Leadership and Culture Summit (AYLCUS), held in Cotonou, Benin, from 21 to 25 October 2026.

Organized by the Afro-Caribbean Chamber of Culture and Tourism (ACCCAT), the summit was held under the theme, “One Africa, Many Cultures: Youth Innovation for Trade, Peace, and Identity.” It brought together over 50 participants from Nigeria, Benin, Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso, alongside panelists from the Caribbean, to examine the connections between cultural identity, youth leadership, innovation and African integration.

The gathering provided a platform for young people and cultural stakeholders to exchange ideas on how Africa's cultural diversity can contribute to economic opportunities, peaceful coexistence and stronger continental connections. Discussions and interactive sessions highlighted the importance of youth participation in shaping Africa's cultural and development agenda, while artistic performances showcased the richness of African cultural expressions.

AFIDFF's participation provided an opportunity to strengthen its engagement with the cultural community in Benin and contribute to conversations on the preservation, documentation and promotion of African heritage. Through its media engagement, the organization also supported the visibility of the summit and shared highlights of the cultural exchanges with wider audiences.

The engagement extended beyond the summit venue to Ouidah, where heritage documentation activities included filming at the Temple of Pythons and visits to the historic Gate of No Return. These sites reflect important dimensions of Benin's cultural and historical heritage and reinforce the value of documentary storytelling in preserving and sharing Africa's diverse histories.

The summit also created opportunities for networking and discussions around potential collaborations in cultural documentation and future heritage initiatives. These engagements align with AFIDFF's broader commitment to using film, media and storytelling to promote African heritage and amplify stories from communities across the continent.

The next edition of the African Youth Leadership and Culture Summit is expected to take place in Egypt, following a vote by participants.