For a week in Abidjan, theatres, hotels and open-air stages fill with performers from across Africa. Some are well known; many are hoping to be discovered. Watching them are festival directors, promoters and producers from around the world, looking for acts to book. This is MASA, the Marché des Arts du Spectacle d’Abidjan, one of the most important meeting points for African performing arts.
Origins and launching careers
MASA was launched in 1993 with support from international partners, including the organisation of French-speaking countries. Its aim was to help African artists reach international markets. Selected artists perform for audiences that include professionals. Meetings and workshops connect performers with buyers, agents and festivals. The market includes music, dance, theatre, storytelling and other performing arts.
Many artists have gained international bookings after appearing at MASA, leading to tours in Europe and beyond.
Crisis and revival
Côte d’Ivoire’s political crises and civil conflict in the 2000s disrupted the event, and editions were suspended. MASA returned in the 2010s and has since been held regularly, becoming a symbol of Abidjan‘s cultural recovery. Abidjan has long been a centre for music in West Africa, home to studios and artists from across the region.
Artists say visa difficulties and limited funding make it hard to take advantage of opportunities abroad.
Audiences, networking and who performs
Many shows are open to the public, giving residents access to performances from across Africa. Professionals use MASA to build relationships across African cultural industries. The market welcomes artists from French-, English- and Portuguese-speaking countries. Selection committees choose artists from many countries, and each edition includes established names alongside newcomers who have never performed abroad. For many young companies, simply being chosen is a milestone.
Ivorian popular music, from zouglou to coupé-décalé, has a strong presence, giving visiting programmers a taste of the local scene.
The city, funding and a regular date
Restaurants, hotels and street vendors benefit from the visitors, and the week brings a festive mood to parts of the city. The event relies on government support and international partners, and its budget has shaped the size of each edition. Organisers have worked to keep the event on a regular schedule so artists and buyers can plan ahead.
MASA began as a market where African artists could sell their shows. Its real value is in the tours, collaborations and careers that start after one week in Abidjan.
