Stand-up comedy is taking Senegal by storm, with a crew of young comics gaining recognition well beyond the West African country's borders. Shows with names like "Dakar fait sa comedy" ("Dakar does comedy"), "Fest' rire" ("Laugh Fest"), "Afrique du rire" ("African Laugh") are springing up across the capital Dakar. Their inspiration comes from French stars such as Jamel Debbouze ou Gad Elmaleh, both of North African descent. The goal, he says, is to develop new talent, but also to seek wider exposure for Senegalese humour. Abba acknowledges that, if they are to expand into international markets, Senegalese comics will have to work more in French than in Wolof, the local language.

Source: The North Africa Journal December 26, 2023 12:08 UTC