East African Billionaire Hassanein Hiridjee plans to close Paris gallery to focus on local African talent

On July 21, 2026, Fondation H, the contemporary art foundation established by Malagasy billionaire Hassanein Hiridjee, announced that it will close its exhibition space in Paris in September to focus entirely on supporting talent across the African continent.

• Fondation H will close its exhibition space in Paris in September 2026 to focus support on African talent.
• All artistic initiatives will be centralized at its 2,200 square metre headquarters in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
• The Paris venue, opened in 2020, served as an international hub for creators from Madagascar and the Indian Ocean region.
• All future residencies, grants, and collaborations will be based in Madagascar, strengthening creative opportunities across Africa.

The closure marks the end of a five-year operational presence in the French capital. Moving forward, the foundation will direct all its artistic initiatives through its 2,200 square metre headquarters located in Antananarivo, Madagascar.

The Paris venue, situated in the historic Marais district, originally opened in September 2020 through a partnership with the Cite internationale des arts.

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The location served as an international hub, offering dedicated residency and exhibition space for creative professionals from Madagascar and the broader Indian Ocean region.

By closing the European location, the organization aims to centralize its operational resources, funding, and mentorship programs within its primary African facilities.

Operations in the African island

Established in 2017 and officially recognized as a public utility in the island of Madagascar in 2018, Fondation H provides fully funded programs for emerging and practicing visual artists.

These initiatives include the Prix Paritana, specialized art training courses, and creative workshops for children.

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The founder of Fondation H, Hassanein Hiridjee, in a statement cited by Billionaires.Africa, stated that he wanted the venue to "bring the French and international public closer to contemporary African creation and to build new bridges and opportunities."

Strengthening creative talents

The foundation's solar-powered headquarters in Antananarivo features extensive exhibition halls, an art library, creative studios, a permanent collection, and a café.

By shifting all future programming exclusively to Madagascar, the organization seeks to address the historical scarcity of dedicated art spaces and formal training opportunities across the Indian Ocean region.

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With the new arrangement, the billionaire ensures that all future residencies, grants, and international curatorial collaborations will be anchored directly within Africa to nurture local talent.