MitAfrika Festival Köln — Cultural Festival at the Chocolate Museum

20 Years of African Culture on Cologne's Rhine Promenade

The MitAfrika Festival is one of the most important African cultural festivals in the Rhineland. In 2026, it celebrates its 20th edition – an anniversary that underscores the deep roots of African art and lifestyle in Cologne. The organizer is the association Mama Afrika e.V., founded and led by Papa Malick Diouf, one of the defining figures of the African-German cultural scene in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Chocolate Museum on the Rheinauhafen – The Setting

The venue is the open space at the Chocolate Museum in Cologne's Rheinauhafen, one of the most beautiful city areas on the Rhine. The address Am Schokoladenmuseum 1A, 50678 Köln is located directly on the water between the Severinsbrücke and Deutzer Brücke, with views of the Cathedral and the Old Town. The district of Altstadt-Süd with its Rheinauhafen promenade offers the urban flair that complements the festival.

Live World Music from West, North, and East Africa

The musical program features live acts from across the African continent. Confirmed for 2026 are, among others:

• Nina Ogot (Kenya) – Kenyan singer-songwriter
• Omar Jatta (Gambia) – Singer and Kora virtuoso
• Malick Diaw (Senegal) – Singer and Festival Director
• Mama Afrika – West African Percussion Group (House Band)

The focus for 2026 is on Northwest Africa (Senegal, Gambia, Mauritania, Mali) and Ghana. Stylistically, the acts range from Afrobeat, Mbalax, Highlife, Soukous, Mande-Pop to traditional percussion.

World Market with Arts and Crafts, Fashion, and Culinary Delights

In addition to music, the world market offers around 50 stalls with African arts and crafts – wood carvings, bronze castings, jewelry, woven textiles, leather goods. Fashion stalls showcase African fabrics (Wax, Kente) and contemporary African designers. Culinary offerings span the full spectrum of African cuisines: Senegalese Thiéboudienne, Ghanaian Jollof Rice, Ethiopian Injera, Moroccan Tajines, South African Boerewors.

Dance, Theatre, and Workshops for Adults

Complementing the music are dance and drumming workshops: visitors can learn to play Djembe drums, master Sabar dance, or explore African choreographies. Theatre performances bring African narratives, fairy tales, and political plays to the stage. The theatre performance is one of the festival's hallmarks.

Children's Program – Festival for All Generations

A dedicated area is reserved for children: storytelling sessions with African tales, craft activities, mini drumming classes, dance animation. This makes the MitAfrika Festival explicitly family-oriented and not just a world music festival for adults.

COSMO and WDR as Media Partners

The festival is presented by the WDR station COSMO, which specializes in intercultural programming. Coverage across radio, television, and WDR channels lends the festival supra-regional attention.

Free Admission – Donations Welcome

The festival is free for all visitors. Food, drinks, and workshops are paid for individually at the stalls. Donations for the Mama Afrika e.V. association are accepted via collection boxes and online platforms.