The Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC), Nigeria, and the Cinémathèque Suisse (Swiss National Film Archive), Switzerland, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen collaboration in the preservation, digitisation, and promotion of Africa’s audiovisual heritage.

The agreement was signed recently at the headquarters of CBAAC in Lagosby the Director-General of CBAAC, Aisha Adamu Augie, and Director of the Cinémathèque Suisse, during the official visit of Her Excellency, Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, Swiss Federal Councillor and Minister of Culture/Interior, to the centre.

The ceremony was witnessed by Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Hannatu Musa Musawa, alongside senior government officials from both countries.

The partnership establishes a framework for long-term cooperation in developing digitisation workflows for CBAAC’s film, video, and non-film collections, while promoting professional exchange, research, technical training, and capacity building in audiovisual preservation.

It also provides opportunities for staff exchanges, joint workshops, collaborative research, training fellowships, and the mobilisation of international support for heritage preservation initiatives. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Augie described the partnership as a major milestone in the Centre’s ongoing digitisation agenda and preparations towards the Golden Jubilee of FESTAC ‘77 in 2027.

“This partnership represents an important investment in preserving one of Africa’s most cherished memories. By combining our strengths, we are creating new opportunities to safeguard invaluable cultural collections, build professional capacity, and ensure that the legacy of FESTAC ‘77 and other important archival resources remain accessible to future generations.”

Hediger, welcomed the agreement as an important example of international collaboration in cultural heritage preservation. Hediger said, “Heritage preservation is a shared global responsibility. We are honoured to work alongside CBAAC in developing sustainable preservation practices while strengthening professional exchange and contributing to the long-term protection of one of Africa’s most significant cultural collections.”

During the visit, the Swiss delegation, which included Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Patrick Egloff, and Consul General of Switzerland in Lagos, H.E. Conny Camenzind, toured CBAAC’s museum, archives, and heritage collections, including materials from the historic Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC ‘77).

Discussions highlighted the important role of cultural diplomacy, archival preservation, and institutional partnerships in strengthening relations between Nigeria and Switzerland.

The Memorandum of Understanding, which is valid for an initial period of three years and renewable by mutual consent, provides a foundation for future collaboration in digitisation, archival research, conservation, training, and knowledge exchange.

As preparations continue towards FESTAC ‘77 @ 50 in 2027, both institutions expressed confidence that the partnership will enhance international cooperation in audiovisual preservation while promoting wider access to Africa’s rich cultural heritage.