Eco-responsibility
The Productions Nuits d’Afrique team is committed to reducing the Festival’s environmental footprint each year by implementing sustainable development strategies.
Since its founding by Lamine Touré in 1987, thousands of festival-goers gather each summer to celebrate African, Latin American, and Caribbean cultures in a spirit of sharing and cultural exchange. True to its values of inclusion, diversity, and respect, the festival continues to promote these cultures while reinventing its model to be more eco-responsible and sustainable.
Because social and environmental struggles are inseparable, eco-responsible practices are at the heart of our programming and event organization.
An approach supported by the Conseil québécois des événements écoresponsables (CQEER).
To learn more about our commitments and actions, read our Eco-responsibility Policy 2025–2028.
Our eco-responsible actions
Environmental component
Waste management
We ensure rigorous waste management to divert as much material as possible from landfill.
- 90% waste diversion in 2025 compared to 62% in 2023
- 9.8 tonnes of compostable materials collected in 2025
- 2.65 tonnes of recyclable materials and only 1.37 tonnes of residual waste thanks to secondary sorting
- 4 sorting stations with explanatory panels, strategically placed across the site
Read our Waste Management Report.
Waste reduction at source
We prioritize concrete actions to reduce waste at the point of creation.
- 2 free water fountains — the sale of plastic bottles is prohibited on site.
- 10,000 plastic bottles saved backstage thanks to our partner ONIBI.
- 100% of utensils and food containers are compostable.
- Artists and staff enjoy a zero-waste buffet.
Sustainable food
All partner restaurateurs have signed an eco-responsibility charter committing to kitchen composting, frying oil recovery, and offering a vegetarian option.
- Food surplus is redistributed through La Tablée des chefs
- 253 portions redistributed to local organizations in 2025
Carbon offsetting
We double-offset our greenhouse gas emissions through the tree-planting program managed by Carbone Boréale.
- 45 trees planted in 2025 in the boreal forest
- 228 trees planted since 2022
Awareness
Change doesn’t happen alone! Through our approach, we aim not only to improve our internal practices, but also to raise awareness among our audience, volunteers, partners, artists, and suppliers about the importance of eco-responsibility.
- 600 hours of awareness activities carried out by our green brigade
- Social media and giant screen communications reminding audiences of eco-friendly habits
- Every year since 2022, a day is dedicated to involving youth from Centre le Beau Voyage in our green brigade
Eco-friendly festival-goer guide →
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Resource optimization
The festival adopts an eco-design approach in choosing its materials and equipment: priority given to rentals, timeless reusable prints, and replacing PVC prints with fabric, wood, or slate alternatives.
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Social and cultural component
A meeting of cultures
Through performances celebrating diverse cultures, a legendary market, and gastronomic diversity, the festival creates spaces for exchange and learning that strengthen social cohesion. It brings together varied audiences with authentic and inclusive representation of different communities.
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A platform for artisans
The Tombouctou Market offers a showcase for local and international artisans and creators, fostering the transmission of know-how and support for the local economy.
- 50 merchants, artists, and artisans including many women entrepreneurs
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Accessibility and inclusion
- 8 access ramps (in collaboration with Kéroul)
- 1 dedicated area for people with reduced mobility
- 70% of activities are free
- 10–50 $ for indoor concert tickets, free admission for companions (Carte Accompagnement Loisirs)
- 850 outdoor seats
- 2 giant screens + live broadcast on the Esplanade Tranquille
Accessibility page →
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Local impact
- 161 volunteers in 2025, including many newcomers
- 4,995 volunteer hours accumulated
- Partners: AIEM, CODEM, Centre le Beau Voyage, La Maison des jeunes l’Escalier
- 840 direct jobs generated each year
- 85% of beverages sold are locally sourced
- 70% of partner companies located within 300 km of Montreal
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🌿 Our awards and distinctions
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In 2024, recipient of the Prix Vivats for our effective waste management. In 2022, winners in two categories: Responsible Waste Management and Source Prevention and Reduction.
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In 2023, for our 37th edition, we achieved level 2 of the BNQ standard from the Bureau de normalisation du Québec for Responsible Event Management.
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Recipient of the Prix Distinction 2023 awarded by Tourisme Montréal for our waste management plan 2021–2023.
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Our eco-responsible partners
Le Family Farmers Network est heureux cette année d’offrir une variété de légumes et jus de fruits bio et locaux aux équipes et artistes de Nuits d’Afrique pour avoir toute l’énergie nécessaire pour le festival ! Depuis 30 ans, le Réseau est un OBNL qui met en lien les québécois·es avec des fermes 100% biologiques proches de chez eux, via des abonnements à des paniers bio. Chaque année, 115 fermes de leur réseau nourrissent plus de 17 000 foyers. Si vous cherchez un geste concret pour agir écologiquement, abonnez-vous à un panier bio au Family Farmers Network !
Rooted in the community for more than 36 years, L’Échoppe des Fromages is a family-owned business that welcomes people and brings them together as a true living space. A proud supporter of small local farms that shape our countryside and nourish our communities, we believe that through our work, it is possible to change the world. Cheesemongers, butter makers, caterers, and restaurateurs — but above all, passionate educators dedicated to subsistence farming and artisanal craftsmanship. As an eco-conscious, feminist, and forward-thinking company, they place respect for the land, producers, and people at the heart of everything they do, guided by a zero-waste philosophy.
