Taghreft Tinariwen is a trans-Saharan not-for-profit company with charitable aims based in Kidal, northeastern Mali. It is registered as an association under Malian law. Taghreft Tinariwen, whose name means “the development of the deserts” in tamashek, the language of the Touareg of the southern Sahara, was created in 2005 by the two best known guitar groups in the southern Sahara: Tinariwen and Terakaft. These two groups promote the activities of the association throughout the world, thanks to their numerous tours and to their large and widespread network of partners.

The aim of Taghreft Tinariwen is not only to promote all aspects of Touareg culture including art, poetry, music, dance, story telling, the Tamashek language and the tifinar alphabet, but also to further the economic and social development of the Adrar des Iforas region by means of tourism, exchanges and professional training.

The activities of Taghreft Tinariwen can be divided into three main areas:

The organisation of the ‘Saharan Nights of Essouk' festival

The creation of Touareg cultural centre in Kidal

Professional training for local people

The Taghreft Tinariwen team   :

Président  
Nina Walet Intallou (Councillor at the High Council of Territorial Collectives of Mali)

Honorary President
Ibrahim Ag Alhabib (founder of Tinariwen)

Secretary
Issa Dicko (academic, speaker, co-founder of The Festival in the Desert and member of Terakaft)

Treasurers  
Oum Akhir Bint M'Barek and Eyadou Ag Leche (Tinariwen)

Organiser 
Alhassane Ag Touhami (Tinariwen) 

Exterior Relations  
Abdallah Ag Alhousseyni (Tinariwen)

International Advisors and partners
Andy Morgan, Bastien Gsell (Tinariwen UK) ; Philippe Brix Tapsit) ; Sedryk (Reaktion) ; Fred Miguel (promotion) ; Jean-Jacques & Catherine Bordier (audio-visual consultant).