- Thirteen African countries are participating in the 2026 Venice Biennale, a record for the event.
- Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Sierra Leone and Somalia joined the exhibition for the first time.
- The biennale also honors late curator Koyo Kouoh, the first African woman chosen to lead the exhibition.
AFRICA has secured its largest presence ever at the Venice Biennale, with 13 national pavilions featured at the 61st edition of the world’s leading contemporary art exhibition.
The biennale, which opened May 9, and runs through Nov. 22, will bring together collectors, art dealers, exhibitors, visitors and artists from around the world for several months across Venice.
Exhibitions spread across multiple venues in the city, from the Giardini public gardens to the Arsenale complex. This year’s edition includes 100 national pavilions and 31 collateral events.
Among them, 13 pavilions are dedicated to African countries, the highest number since the biennale was founded. Four African nations are also participating for the first time: Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Sierra Leone and Somalia.
Their arrival gives the countries an opportunity to introduce their artistic scenes and visual cultures to a global audience.
The Venice Biennale has long positioned itself as a space for artistic freedom and cultural dialogue, encouraging exchanges between cultures and promoting broader conversations about the contemporary world.
New African Pavilions Debut in Venice
Equatorial Guinea opened its first pavilion with The Forest/The Undergrowth, a project commissioned by Paulo Speller and designed by Joan Abelló.
Guinea entered the biennale with The Sound of Art: The Echo of Matter, a project led by Bilia Bah and conceived by Carlo Stragapede. Installed on San Servolo Island, the pavilion brings together a broad selection of artists.
Sierra Leone also made its debut with Mondi Presenti/Worlds of Today, commissioned by Fatima Maada Bio and curated by Sandro Orlandi Stagl and Willy Montini.
Somalia joined the biennale with Saddexleey, a project commissioned by Abdirahman Yusuf Mohamud and created by Mohamed Mire and Fabio Scrivanti.
Beyond the record participation, Africa has emerged as one of the defining forces of this year’s edition.
Koyo… curator
A Biennale Shaped by Koyo Kouoh’s Legacy
Koyo Kouoh died on the night of May 9, 2025, exactly one year before the opening of this year’s Venice Biennale.
She had been selected as the exhibition’s curator, becoming the first African woman appointed to the role. The Cameroon-born curator, who later became a Swiss citizen, died in Basel at age 57.
“It is both an honor and a privilege to follow in the footsteps of remarkable predecessors,” Kouoh said in an interview with TV5 Monde after her appointment. “I hope to create an exhibition that speaks to the world we live in today and, more importantly, the world we want to build.”
Her curatorial vision remained in place after her death.
This year’s theme, In Minor Keys, emphasizes nuance, listening and subtle sensory experiences, moving away from the visual overload that often defines large contemporary art exhibitions.
Kouoh leaves behind the legacy of a major figure in pan-African cultural thought and a committed feminist who worked to build independent African cultural institutions capable of producing knowledge from within the continent rather than seeking validation through Western structures.
Ubrick F. Quenum
- https://www.ecofinagency.com/news-culture/1205-55500-africa-takes-center-stage-at-venice-biennale-with-record-representation
