Africa SIMPLY THE BEST is a choreographic solo contest established by ANKATA LABORATORY in 2015 and held in the ANKATA headquarters in Bobo-Dioulasso.

The idea of creating a major pan-African cultural event was born of the realization that African contemporary dance was blooming: training centres were doing remarkable work, enabling young artists to explore their art and find their own voice. As the effects of this development became increasingly apparent, we also saw the emergence of a loyal and devoted audience all over the continent.

Seeing this momentum building up, the ANKATA team was determined to keep it going.

After the first three editions in December 2015, 2016 and 2019, SIMPLY THE BEST has become a true springboard for the international careers of the subsequent laureates. The experience of the first three editions helped us to solidify the competition’s objectives.