James Mishio

This article charts the development of contemporary African art from the post-independence era to today’s global market boom. It highlights key movements, curators like Okwui Enwezor, diaspora artists, institutional growth, and the digital revolution shaping the continent’s creative future.

Launching from June 17–22, Africa Basel joins Basel’s cultural landscape with a 14th-century venue and 18 galleries, emphasising meaningful engagement, inclusion, and the elevation of contemporary African art.

Moscow’s State Museum of Oriental Art has unveiled its first-ever permanent space dedicated to contemporary African art. Housing over 1,100 artifacts, the new gallery provides rotating displays, educational programming, and serves as a cultural bridge between Russia and Africa.

From June 8 to 14, Houston supersized its arts celebration with the first-ever Fade to Black Arts Festival—an expansion of the longtime play festival—bringing together legendary artists like Phylicia Rashad, powerful masterclasses, visual art exhibits, youth engagement, and dynamic programming across six major venues in the city.

The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) has expanded its cultural programming by collaborating with the Art in Black Foundation to debut The South African Collective. The curated exhibition features five contemporary South African artists and will be on display during the June 12–14, 2025 festival in Miami Beach.

Established in 1965 and opened in 1966, Detroit’s Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History commemorates six decades of collecting, educating and celebrating Black heritage. With a permanent collection exceeding 35,000 artifacts and nationally recognised programmes including the African World Festival, the museum remains a vital hub for storytelling, community engagement and cultural remembrance.

Between 2013 and 2023, global sales of African contemporary art soared by 46%, peaking at $101 million in 2021. Today, the market is approaching $1.5 billion, buoyed by digital platforms, art fairs, and increased visibility of women artists—who now represent over 50% of global auction sales for African art.

During the Doing Business Angola event, Forbes África Lusófona honoured businessman António Mota with Curiosity, a unique painting by artist Paulo Formiga, commissioned by Afrikanizm Art. The piece, handed to his son Manuel Mota in his absence, is a symbol of resilience, curiosity and Mota’s decades-long connection to Angola.