Rabat, the capital of Morocco, is set to enhance its cultural landscape with the creation of the Cité de la Culture Africaine – Museum of the Continent, an ambitious project aimed at positioning the Kingdom as a hub for African artistic and cultural exchange. This initiative seeks not only to strengthen Morocco’s soft power but also to amplify the voice and visibility of African creativity on the global stage.
Located on Avenue Moulay Al-Hassan, in the historic former headquarters of the Royal Navy, the Cité de la Culture Africaine will span 11,000 square meters. The building, an architectural gem from the 1920s with a signature art deco style, has had a storied past, serving as the Ministry of Agriculture, the Office Chérifien des Phosphates, and later the Royal Navy headquarters. Its transformation into a cultural hub aims to preserve its architectural heritage while giving it a bold new purpose.
The Cité de la Culture Africaine will become a key meeting point for artists, professionals, and cultural experts across the continent. It will house a heritage conservation center, a museum laboratory, an artist-in-residence program, and a pan-African training center focused on heritage conservation and restoration. These facilities are designed to foster collaboration and build lasting networks among museum professionals, while also showcasing African artistic expressions in dialogue with global art forms.
This project goes beyond mere exhibitions. It embodies a commitment to knowledge-sharing and cooperation among nations of the Global South. Through collaborative initiatives, it aims to preserve and promote Africa’s shared cultural heritage. The Fondation Nationale des Musées (FNM) of Morocco has already spearheaded several pan-African initiatives, including training programs to enhance the management and conservation of cultural assets across the continent.
The FNM has hosted numerous exhibitions that celebrate the rich cultural diversity of Africa. These include “L’Afrique en Capitale,” “Treasures of Islam in Africa: From Timbuktu to Zanzibar,” “Lights of Africa,” “Africa Through its Photographers: From Malick Sidibé to the Present,” and “Art of Benin: From Restitution to Revelation.” Such initiatives underscore Morocco’s dedication to promoting African heritage and fostering closer cultural ties among African nations.
Renovation work on the site began in March 2024, following architectural approvals from UNESCO. While FNM President Mehdi Qotbi anticipates the center will open sometime in 2025, other sources suggest that the inauguration may take place in late 2026. Regardless of the timeline, the project is already being hailed as a cultural beacon for both Morocco and Africa.
The Cité de la Culture Africaine – Museum of the Continent promises to be a landmark of creativity, collaboration, and celebration. By offering a platform dedicated to the richness of African art and heritage, it will cement Morocco’s role as a cultural bridge between Africa and the rest of the world.
