Kinshasa to Host Inaugural World Music and Tourism Festival

From July 16–18, Kinshasa will take center stage as the host of the first-ever World Music and Tourism Festival, a landmark event uniting cultural expression and tourism for sustainable development. Held under the High Patronage of H.E. Mr. Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the festival embraces the theme “The Rumba Route for Peace.”

With support from UN Tourism, the festival emphasizes the transformative power of music and tourism in fostering dialogue, mutual understanding, and economic opportunity. The event also underscores the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s ambition to champion its cultural heritage, notably Congolese Rumba, which was recognized by UNESCO in 2021 as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

“The Festival will bring together voices to explore how music shapes lives, drives economic opportunity, and through innovation and technology, fosters greater connection among people,” said H.E. Mr. Didier M’Pambia Musanga, Minister of Tourism of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Festival partners include UNESCO, ARIPO, Sony Music Entertainment, Sound Diplomacy, and key cultural figures from Africa, Latin America, and Europe. Together, they represent a broad coalition committed to using culture as a lever for peace, prosperity, and cross-cultural exchange.

UN Tourism: Culture and Tourism United for Peace

“This Festival is a valuable opportunity to celebrate Congolese creativity while supporting local development, regional cooperation, and international understanding,” said UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. “Music speaks to people everywhere. We are proud to support this initiative that reflects the shared potential of tourism and culture to build bridges and unlock opportunities.”

The World Music and Tourism Festival is poised to become a flagship event for Kinshasa and a model for cultural diplomacy and tourism-driven development across Africa and beyond.