The Mano River Union (MRU) and XL Entertainment have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish Mano River Week (MRW), a regional platform designed to promote cultural identity, economic collaboration, and creative integration across West Africa.
The agreement, concluded at the MRU Secretariat in Freetown, represents a milestone partnership between the sub‑region’s leading intergovernmental body and one of West Africa’s most dynamic creative economy enterprises. The initiative seeks to strengthen ties among Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire by leveraging arts, culture, and innovation as drivers of unity and sustainable development.
Under the MoU, XL Entertainment will serve as the official creative and implementation partner, tasked with curating and managing MRW’s cultural programs, media outreach, and digital ecosystem. The week‑long event will showcase regional music, film, fashion, and storytelling, while creating new opportunities for youth, entrepreneurs, and creative professionals.
Ambassador Simeon M. B. Moribah, Secretary‑General of the MRU, underscored the Union’s commitment to deepening integration through culture and innovation. “The Mano River Week represents more than a celebration; it is a statement of unity. By partnering with XL Entertainment, we are placing culture, creativity, and communication at the center of regional cooperation,” he said.
XL Entertainment’s Chief Executive Officer, Zubin Cooper, highlighted the transformative potential of the collaboration. “This partnership is about storytelling, shared purpose, and building a regional identity that young people can be proud of. The Mano River Week will shine a spotlight on the possibilities of the Mano River region — from music and media to tourism, innovation, and enterprise,” Cooper noted.
The inaugural Mano River Week will feature cultural showcases, youth and policy dialogues, competitions, film screenings, documentary premieres, and a creative industries expo. Sustainability and climate‑focused initiatives will also be integrated, aligning with the MRU’s commitments to peace, prosperity, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Observers say the initiative positions the MRU as a continental leader in creative diplomacy, demonstrating how arts and media can bridge borders, stimulate economic growth, and inspire collective progress. Analysts argue that by embedding cultural industries into regional policy frameworks, the Union is signaling a shift toward inclusive development strategies that prioritize youth and innovation.
Civil society groups have welcomed the move, noting that cultural diplomacy can reinforce social cohesion in a region historically challenged by conflict and economic disparity. “Investing in creativity is investing in peace,” said one cultural advocate in Freetown. “It gives communities a shared platform to celebrate identity while building economic resilience.”
The MRU, established in 1973 to promote peace and economic integration among its member states, has traditionally focused on governance and trade. The launch of Mano River Week reflects a broader vision to harness soft power and creative industries as tools of regional transformation. For XL Entertainment, the partnership extends its mission to amplify African stories and talent, while driving social and economic impact through art and innovation.
As preparations advance, expectations are high that Mano River Week will become a flagship event for the region — one that not only celebrates culture but also strengthens the foundations of integration, enterprise, and collective identity across West Africa.
