Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, will host the first-ever World Music and Tourism Festival from 16–18 July 2025, in a collaborative effort between the Government of President Félix Tshisekedi and UN Tourism. The three-day event aims to position the DRC as a cultural tourism destination, with a spotlight on Congolese Rumba – inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2021. The festival will feature global music performances, industry roundtables, guided tours, a food fair, and river excursions, centred around key venues like the new Centre Culturel des Arts and the Palais du Peuple.
Beyond entertainment, the festival supports broader tourism goals under the UN Tourism Agenda for Africa. It will explore music as a driver of destination promotion, youth innovation, and cultural exchange, aligning with efforts to amplify Brand Africa and foster South-South cooperation. Taking place against the backdrop of growing global interest in music tourism, the initiative represents a strategic move by the DRC to diversify its tourism offering and contribute to inclusive growth across the sector. Registrations close on 27 June 2025.
