Togo has taken a quiet but meaningful step in reshaping how creative talent is developed on the continent. On Thursday, January 22, 2026, the country officially opened its first-ever comedy training school in the coastal city of Aného, signaling growing recognition of comedy as both a cultural force and a viable profession.
The new institution, called “L’École du rire à Aného” (The School of Laughter in Aného), is designed to train young comedians through a structured curriculum that blends creativity, performance, and career development. It is the first school of its kind in Togo, and among the few in West Africa dedicated solely to comedy as a discipline.
The school is run by the Aquéréburu and Partners Foundation, in partnership with the Lacs 1 commune, and builds on years of cultural work aimed at strengthening local talent and preserving heritage. Organizers say the goal is simple but ambitious: to help Togolese and African comedians develop their craft professionally, while using humor as a tool for social connection and economic opportunity.
Comedy as a Serious Craft
Unlike informal comedy workshops or short-term training programs, L’École du rire à Aného is structured as a full creative learning environment. Courses will cover comedy writing, creative development, stage performance, improvisation, audience engagement, and stage direction. Students will also receive mentoring on how to shape a unique comedic voice and navigate the realities of a professional career.
Beyond performance skills, the program includes career training, helping participants understand branding, booking, festival participation, and long-term growth in the entertainment industry. Access to live performance venues and regional festivals is built into the model, ensuring students gain real-world exposure alongside classroom learning.
This approach reflects a growing shift across Africa, where creative industries are increasingly seen not just as cultural outlets, but as economic sectors capable of generating jobs, exports, and influence.
A Platform for Youth and Social Expression
For the foundation behind the project, comedy is more than entertainment. Lawson Latévi Jeff, Executive Director of the Aquéréburu and Partners Foundation, says humour can play a powerful role in society.
According to him, the school aims to use comedy as a means of cultural expression, social cohesion, civic awareness, and youth employment. In a region where young people often face limited economic opportunities, creative skills offer an alternative path, one rooted in storytelling, observation, and shared experience.
Comedy has long been part of African oral traditions, used to question authority, reflect daily life, and bring communities together. By formalizing training, the school hopes to preserve that tradition while adapting it to modern stages, media platforms, and audiences.
Why Aného Matters
The choice of Aného is intentional. The city holds deep historical and cultural significance, having served as Togo’s capital before independence. In recent years, it has experienced renewed cultural momentum through initiatives like the Festival International d’Histoire d’Aného (FIHA), which celebrates local history, arts, and heritage.
L’École du rire à Aného is part of this broader revival. Organizers plan to host regular comedy shows in the city, turning Aného into a regional hub for live performance and creative exchange. These events are expected to attract visitors, stimulate the local economy, and give emerging comedians a stage to test their work.
A Signal for Africa’s Creative Economy
While the school is modest in scale, its significance is larger. It reflects a growing understanding that beyond talent, Africa’s creative economy needs institutions. Training, mentorship, and infrastructure are essential if artists are to move from informal success to sustainable careers.
If successful, the model could inspire similar initiatives in other African cities, particularly as digital platforms expand the reach of African comedy beyond national borders.
In launching its first comedy training school, Togo is making a clear statement: laughter matters, creativity matters, and young people deserve spaces where talent can be taken seriously.
As we have seen, sometimes, the most important cultural shifts begin with a shared laugh and a place where that laughter is carefully crafted, shaped, and celebrated.
