The Africa International Documentary Festival Foundation (AFIDFF) has announced a partnership with the Kebbi State Government to train young people in digital content creation, focusing on documenting and promoting the state’s cultural heritage and tourism potential. The collaboration was disclosed by AFIDFF Director-General Malame Mangzha during a courtesy visit by Kebbi State Commissioner for Information and Culture Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed on Thursday in Abuja. Mangzha emphasized that AFIDFF, which has documented Africa’s cultural heritage for over a decade through partnerships with UNESCO and Google Arts & Culture, aims to empower Kebbi’s youth with skills to showcase their communities’ stories. The foundation previously documented the Argungu Fishing Festival, whose videos garnered over 18 million views online, highlighting the global appeal of Kebbi’s cultural events when professionally presented.
Mangzha outlined the initiative’s scope, stating it would equip participants with tools to produce professional digital content, emphasizing responsible storytelling and monetization opportunities. She proposed a 2027 World Heritage Volunteer Programme in Kebbi, inviting young people and international volunteers to document the state’s heritage. Commissioner Yakubu praised AFIDFF’s work on the Argungu Festival, calling it a model for deeper collaboration. He urged the foundation to expand its efforts to other Kebbi festivals, including the Gwandu Emirate Horse-Racing Festival and Yauri Emirate Rigata Cultural Festival, which he described as deserving broader recognition. Yakubu noted Kebbi’s agricultural, cultural, and tourism assets, stressing the government’s commitment to leveraging these through youth-driven digital narratives.
The partnership underscores Kebbi’s strategic focus on cultural preservation and economic development. By training 5,000 young content creators across Africa, AFIDFF seeks to amplify local voices in global storytelling. Mangzha highlighted Kebbi’s historical sites and festivals as untapped resources for tourism and investment, while Yakubu emphasized the need to project the state’s development initiatives to a global audience. The collaboration aligns with Governor Nasir Idris’s administration efforts to build advocacy networks and promote Kebbi’s heritage through digital platforms.
This initiative addresses both cultural preservation and youth unemployment, offering sustainable livelihoods through creative industries. By combining AFIDFF’s expertise with Kebbi’s rich heritage, the partnership aims to position the state as a hub for cultural tourism and digital innovation. The project’s success could serve as a blueprint for similar collaborations across Nigeria, leveraging youth talent to safeguard and promote Africa’s diverse cultural legacy.