(Posted 10th May 2026)
Three years ago, the name Bakare Mubarak was synonymous with the heights of African
fashion and the world’s tallest models. Today, that influence has matured into a sophisticated
engine for cultural diplomacy and international trade. Commemorating his recognition amongst
The 100 Most Influential People Of African Descent, his third anniversary as an advisory
council member of the Black Professionals in International Affairs (BPIA) and the recent
institutional success of his venture, BILARTERAL, Mubarak is proving that Africa’s ‘soft power‘ is its most valuable currency.
The Evolution of a Visionary
Mubarak’s transition from a cultural icon to a creative entrepreneur has been strategic. Under
his leadership, BILARTERAL has emerged as more than a gallery; it is a professionalized
bridge connecting the soul of African artistry with the precision of global investment.
‘The goal was never just to show art’ says Mubarak before adding: ‘The goal was to create a system where African heritage is documented, authenticated, and exported with the same rigor as any other high-value commodity‘.
Institutional Endorsement and Global Reach
The impact of this vision was recently validated at the highest level. BILARTERAL received a
prestigious institutional endorsement from the Presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
through the Office of the Special Adviser To The President On Art, Culture and the Creative
Economy, recognizing the organization’s role in advancing cultural diplomacy, creative
exchange, youth empowerment and international collaboration within the African creative
economy.
Following the successful representation of a premier selection of Nigerian Artists and the
response at the prestigious 18th Harlem Fine Art Show, BILARTERAL has now opened
“Colors Of The Tropics” in New York City This intimate ,salon-style experience designed for
those who prefer to engage with art, and the vision behind it, without the noise. Showcasing the
works of veteran artists Doba Afolabi, and emerging artists like John Akande, Omoyeni
Arogunmati, Nojeem Muse and Maryam Maigida bringing the vibrant, intellectual depth of
Nigerian art to the forefront of the international stage. From successful exhibitions to strategic
dialogues with diplomatic missions, BILARTERAL is navigating the complexities of the global art
market with a distinctively African lens.
The Intersection of Tourism and Art
For followers of the aviation and tourism sectors, Mubarak’s work represents a critical
component of the ‘destination experience‘. By professionalizing the creative economy,
BILARTERAL is enhancing the cultural infrastructure that makes Africa a premier destination for
luxury travelers and intellectual tourists.
Mubarak remains focused on the future: a series of high-level exhibitions across Europe, Asia,
The Caribbean and the Middle East, aimed at ensuring that the African story is told by those
who live it.
About BILARTERAL:
Founded by Bakare Mubarak, BILARTERAL is a premier cultural diplomacy and arts
management firm dedicated to the promotion, authentication, and global distribution of African
contemporary art.
Transforming Africa’s vast Art & cultural wealth into sustainable economic prosperity and
measurable social impact. BILARTERAL exists at the dynamic intersection of art, heritage,
innovation, and market opportunity.
