Cover image: Africa Station logo

A tiny Paris suburb with a Black mayor is about to make Olympic history.

For the Paris 2024 games, Île-Saint-Denis will be transformed into Africa Station, a one-of-a-kind "fan zone" dedicated to the celebration of African culture and sport.

It is taking advantage of the international fervor over the Games, its designation as one of three cities that make up the Olympic Village, and its proximity to the Olympic Stadium (Stade de France) in the neighboring city of Saint-Denis to revamp its infrastructure, revitalize its neighborhoods, and provide support for its youth.

Mohamed Gnabaly, the 39-year-old mayor of this small town (which has a population of only 8,600 inhabitants, but 95 different nationalities) was quoted by Africa Presse as saying that he wanted to "use the Games to transform our city” and “restore pride to our people, to all our residents.”

Mohamed Gnabaly
Mayor of Île-Saint-Denis
Photo from LinkedIn profile

The recently renovated Stade Robert-César will house Africa Village, which will be a "one-stop-shop" for viewing the Games, meeting victorious African Olympic athletes, dining on African cuisine, attending concerts and exhibitions, and more.  Île-Saint-Denis is partnering with Maison de l'Afrique to present various cultural activities that will offer "complete immersion into African flavors and crafts" not only to local residents, but also to others from the rest of the department of Seine-Saint-Denis, the City of Paris, and beyond. 

Special emphasis is being placed on welcoming Île-Saint-Denis youth to the fan zone so they can feel included in the festivities and meet the athletes who are competing in the Games. 

With the exception of some major concerts, admission to events will be free of charge.

The initiative, which has the support of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) and the French Minister for Sports, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, aims to create a bridge between communities and celebrate diversity. 

It is also serving to create a link between Seine-Saint-Denis and the city of Dakar, which be the first African city to host the Olympic Games when it welcomes the 4th edition of the Summer Youth Olympics in 2026. Maison Dakar 2026 will set up shop at Africa Station to promote the games.

Importantly, the organizers view Africa Station as a means of providing employment opportunities to local, marginalized youth.

Among the special events being planned is an Afro-American Weekend that will take place during the first weekend of the Games (July 27-28, 2024).

It will consist of music concerts, exhibitions, film screenings, talks, workshops and masterclasses.

Guests from USA will include designers, DJs, dancers, producers, celebrities, influencers, and artists.  Among those listed in a promotional document released by the organizers are:

- KRS 1
- Wu Tang members
- The Awesome 2
- Drink Champs show + Noreaga
- Gerald Barclay
- Willie Esco (Jaclar)
- Lo Life
- Damon Dash

The following are the dates to remember:

• Saturday July 20, 2024: Africa Station opening ceremony
• Friday July 26: Broadcast of the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics
• From Thursday to Sunday over the period of the Games: numerous concert evenings highlighting the diversity of the African continent
• Sunday August 11, 2024: Broadcast of the closing ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games and closure of Africa Station
• Saturday September 7, 2024: Paralympic Games evening with concert

Africa Station is part of the wider framework of 239 fan zones planned in France for the Games.  It will be open from 2 PM until 10 PM daily, and until midnight on evenings when concerts take place.

To get to Africa Station (Stade Robert-Cédar) from Paris:

RER D or H to St-Denis station, then take Tram T1 towards the city center and board the shuttle that will drop you off at the stadium.
RER C to Epinay sur Seine station, then take Bus 237 to Collège Sisley station and walk about 10 minutes to the stadium.