Strengthening African Audiovisual Archives: Embracing Intracontinental Linkages.

The article focuses on strengthening African audiovisual (AV) archives by promoting intracontinental linkages to preserve and revitalize the continent's rich intangible cultural heritage. It highlights the critical cultural and strategic value of AV archives in capturing oral traditions, languages, performing arts, and social histories often overlooked by textual records, while noting persistent challenges such as funding deficits, technical capacity gaps, and institutional neglect. The authors review international efforts by organizations like UNESCO, ICCROM's SOIMA program, and various archival associations, emphasizing that while global partnerships are valuable, intracontinental collaboration offers more contextually relevant knowledge exchange and sustainable solutions. They advocate for the creation of a Pan-African meta-archive—a digitally interconnected network of AV repositories—that would unify diverse archival efforts, support cultural renewal, and empower local communities across Africa. The article concludes by urging immediate action to safeguard Africa's audiovisual heritage as a vital resource for present and future generations.