Kinshasa, June 3rd, 2026 (CPA).- A comic artist Barly Baruti from the Democratic Republic of the Congo will represent the country and promote his concept ‘Kinshasa, African Capital of Comics’ at the 3rd edition of the International Comics Festival, scheduled to take place from June 4th to 6th, 2026, in Dakar, in Senegal, it is learned on Wednesday from the artist. “Invited to represent SABDAM and to advocate for Kinshasa, African Capital of Comics, I am delighted to carry the voice of DRC to the heart of this continental event, which will take place at the Wallonia-Brussels Centre in Dakar,” has declared the Congolese comic book artist. “This presence in Dakar defends a simple idea: Kinshasa deserves its crown as the African capital of comics. It is our soft power, it is our voice, it is the memory of our elders and the future of an entire generation,” he has added.
According to Barly, his participation has been supported by DRC’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Senegal, Christophe Muzungu Kabemba. “The Congolese diplomat has opened this gateway to Dakar thanks to his roots in the 9th art, his knowledge of continental networks and his attachment to Kinshasa, which foster a living bridge between Congolese diplomacy and the African capital of comics,” has declared the seasoned comic book artist. Barly Baruti sees the Congolese stand in Dakar as more than just an exhibition space.
He sees it, he has explained, as the voice of Kinshasa, the African capital of comics, and a showcase for Sabdam. This Dakar festival is, in a way, already paving the way for the upcoming ‘African Comics Fair’ and the ‘Autre Musik’ festival, the 7th edition of which is scheduled for September 11th -13th in Kinshasa.
“Decorated in Sabdam’s colours, this stand will make Kinshasa’s claim heard in Dakar: to establish itself as a major African metropolis of the ninth art,” he has said. Alongside Barly Baruti, several other Congolese artists have also been invited, notably: Almata, Tembo Cash, Charlene Makengo and Asimba Bathy, who embody DRC’s graphic arts scene. Created to promote the ninth art in Africa, the Dakar International Comics Festival (BD attaaya) brings together comic book artists, publishers and cartoonists.
The aim of this international gathering is to establish the comics sector as a cultural industry and to showcase African talent. Its vision is to make Dakar a continental showcase for the ninth art on the world stage.