Conakry, the capital of Guinea, has embarked on a new phase of cultural growth after being named a UNESCO Creative City of Literature on October 31, 2025. The city's literary and cultural actors have expressed their commitment to this new role, with Sansy Kaba Diakité, Director-General of L'Harmattan Guinea and Coordinator of Conakry's UNESCO Creative City of Literature, leading the charge. This designation represents a significant challenge for Guinea, with a four-year mandate to promote literary excellence.
The project, launched on April 23, has the full support of the Guinean presidency, which has deemed it a public utility and called on all stakeholders to mobilize. The initiative brings together the entire national literary ecosystem, with the goal of integrating Conakry into a prestigious global network of 408 creative cities, including 67 cities specializing in literature. Conakry joins the ranks of cities like Tangier and Abidjan, offering opportunities for cultural exchange and cooperation.
As part of this new status, a Guinean delegation will participate in the first Creative Cities Summit in Essaouira from November 27 to 29. Conakry aims to establish strong ties with Dakar, Senegal, which is recognized in the music category, by providing the necessary means to encourage sustainable cultural reciprocity. The city plans to set up a "Conakry Creative City" stand at the 10th edition of the Conakry International Youth Book Fair, offering a platform for Dakar and other partners to showcase their creativity.
The Conakry International Youth Book Fair will feature several key events, including the promotion of youth literature through the selection of five titles for Guinean high school students, thanks to the commitment of the Association of Guinean Publishers (ASSEGUI). A exclusive comic book presenting a work on Samory Touré, co-written and co-illustrated by young Guineans and published in Wolof, will also be showcased, highlighting the city's creative dynamism.
The city's literary scene will be mobilized through the active involvement of public and private schools, literary clubs, young slam poets, and journalists, who will animate exchange spaces and promote literary activities. This momentum aims to ensure the success of Conakry's four-year mandate, which will be evaluated by UNESCO at the end of the period to measure its impact and sustainability.
According to Sansy Kaba Diakité, the city's designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Literature offers a unique opportunity for Guinea to shine on the international cultural stage. The city's commitment to promoting literary excellence and cultural exchange will be crucial in achieving this goal, with the support of all stakeholders, including the presidency, literary actors, and the Guinean people.
As Conakry embarks on this new cultural journey, the city is poised to become a hub for literary creativity and innovation in West Africa. With its rich cultural heritage and strong commitment to promoting literary excellence, Conakry is well-positioned to make a lasting impact on the global literary scene.
Key points
- Conakry named UNESCO Creative City of Literature on October 31, 2025
- City launches four-year mandate to promote literary excellence and cultural exchange
- Conakry joins global network of 408 creative cities, including 67 cities specializing in literature
