The Dance Biennale in Africa is a major event to consolidate the development and visibility of choreographic creation on the continent.

Its orientations are carried by an artistic committee of choreographers and key actors of the dance

The committee is currently made up of : Hafiz Dhaou, Virginie Dupray, Taoufik Izzediou, Qudus Onikeku, Salia Sanou and Quito Tembe.

A "rotating" event on the continent, the Biennial has been accompanied by the French Institute as its main partner since its creation more than 20 years ago.

The previous edition was held in Marrakech in 2021.

Highly anticipated by dance professionals and the international press, the next edition will take place in Maputo, Mozambique, from 20 to 26 November 2023 and will be implemented by Quito Tembe, director of the Kinani dance festival. This new edition, on the theme "Beyond...", aims to be a real showcase for contemporary dance on the continent. It will develop a platform for training, support for the emerging scene and meetings between artists and professionals.

In order to support the emergence of a new generation of choreographers in Africa, the French Institute proposes an incubation programme for choreographic projects called Résidanses in inter-biennial years.

The aim of this scheme is to support emerging choreographers from the African continent in their creative process. It allows artists and companies to carry out residencies in order to develop new stages of creation under the guidance of experienced artists from the continent who have a place to work and create. All residencies take place in Africa, with the possibility of a residency in France in conjunction with an identified partner.

This incubation, which takes place every other year, also allows new creations to be proposed which, for the most successful, can be presented during the Biennials of Dance in Africa of the same year.

This Résidanses programme was set up by the French Institute in partnership with the Artistic Committee of the Biennial of Dance in Africa, made up of : Hafiz Dhaou, Virginie Dupray, Taoufik Izzediou, Qudus Onikeku, Salia Sanou and Quito Tembe.

Since 2019, some thirty French, English, Portuguese and Arabic-speaking African laureates have been supported through this programme, including 13 projects by women choreographers, in 12 countries (South Africa; Benin; Burkina Faso; Comoros; Mali; Morocco; Mozambique; Nigeria; Democratic Republic of Congo; Senegal; Togo; Tunisia).

Projects supported in 2023

• Joshua Gabriel (Nigéria)
• Patience Ebute (Nigéria)
• Carolina Manuel (Mozambique)
• Déborah Aiyegbeni ( Nigéria)
• Daouda Keita (Mali)
• Couto Rita (Mozambique)
• Kossivi Senegbe Afiadegnigban (Togo)
• Mohamed Lamqayssi (Maroc)
• Kadidja Tiemanta (Mali)