Africa Day 2026 nationwide events announced

Minister of State Neale Richmond TD, has launched the nationwide programme of events for Africa Day 2026. Communities across Ireland will come together next month to mark Ireland’s growing trade, cultural and people-to-people links with countries across Africa.

Local Authorities across Ireland are set to host a range of cultural, artistic, and family-friendly events to celebrate Africa Day 2026. These will include contemporary African Irish cultural events, as well as family fun days, fashion, art, film, music, dance and food events, which will take place in towns and cities across Ireland.

A special one-day festival will take place on Sunday 17 May at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, organised in partnership between the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Dublin City Council. Up to 10,000 people are expected to attend Africa Day Dublin at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham. The event will feature a vibrant programme of activities including:

• A main stage with musical performances by special guests
• A rhythm and dance area
• A cultural village bringing together organisations to showcase art, crafts and culture that represent the diversity of the African continent.
• A children’s entertainment area
• A range of food stalls
• Podcast and spoken word area hosted by Black & Irish

Africa Day events nationwide will showcase African cultures and build understanding of the growing partnership between Ireland and countries across the continent.

Africa is one of Ireland’s fastest growing economic partners, accounting for approximately €9 billion in trade annually, while there are significant people-to-people links. There is a growing population in Ireland of people with African heritage, while over 35,000 Irish citizens live in South Africa alone.

Dancer Lapree Lala and dance group SouthSide Moves joined Minister of State Neale Richmond at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin to officially launch Africa Day 2026.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Neale Richmond, said:

“Africa Day is an opportunity to promote the growing trade, political and cultural links between Ireland and countries across Africa. The potential for this relationship over the coming years is enormous. Trade between Ireland and countries across Africa stands at approximately €9 billion annually and is growing all the time. Ireland’s agri-food exports to Africa alone rose by 9% last year and are now worth almost €1 billion annually.

“Africa Day marks these growing connections between Ireland and countries across Africa. It celebrates the impact people in Ireland have had across Africa as well as the huge contribution people with African heritage make to our cities, towns and villages each and every day. I’m delighted to see so many of our local authorities host events across the country to help build knowledge and celebrate our links and its potential in the years ahead.”