The Embassy of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire in South Africa has officially launched preparations for the 2026 Festival de la Francophonie, with a dedicated “Ivory Coast Day” set to take place on March 26 in Pretoria.
Held in partnership with the Alliance Française de Pretoria, the event will spotlight the richness and growing global influence of Ivorian cinema. Ambassador Sakaria Koné presided over the launch meeting, outlining a programme designed to promote cultural exchange and strengthen ties between Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa.
The highlight of the day will be a series of film screenings showcasing the creativity and dynamism of Côte d’Ivoire’s film industry. These will be complemented by business-to-business (B2B) sessions aimed at fostering collaboration between filmmakers, distributors and cultural institutions from both countries.
Adding star appeal to the event, actors Franck Vlehi and Eva Guehi — widely recognised for their roles in the popular television series Les Nounous — are expected to attend. Their presence is anticipated to draw attention from both industry professionals and local audiences.
The programme will also feature Michel Mutombo Cartier, General Manager of A+ and A+ Ivoire channels, as guest of honour, underscoring the growing importance of African media networks in promoting regional content.
Through this initiative, the Ivorian Embassy aims not only to celebrate Francophone culture, but also to position Ivorian cinema within English-speaking markets, reinforcing cultural diplomacy and creative industry partnerships across the continent.
