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SIAO: African crafts and industrialisation

This dossier follows Ouagadougou’s international crafts fair, professional exchanges and initiatives to develop the value of craft heritage.

Last updated : 1 key moments
Ouagadougou craft village, November 2024. Archive illustration; this photograph does not show the SIAO 2026 opening. Yendifa, CC0.
Ouagadougou craft village, November 2024. Archive illustration; this photograph does not show the SIAO 2026 opening. Yendifa, CC0. — Yendifa — CC0 1.0 https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ — 1 novembre 2024, sans modification

Where things stand

The 18th edition opened on 30 October 2026 and is scheduled through 8 November, with Ghana as guest of honour. Cooperation intentions do not amount to signed contracts.

Confirmed

Ouagadougou: SIAO opens with focus on linking crafts and industry

Ibrahim Traoré inaugurated the 18th Ouagadougou International Arts and Crafts Fair on 30 October 2026. Ghana is guest of honour at the event, scheduled to run until 8 November.

Ouagadougou craft village, November 2024. Archive illustration; this photograph does not show the SIAO 2026 opening. Yendifa, CC0.
Ouagadougou craft village, November 2024. Archive illustration; this photograph does not show the SIAO 2026 opening. Yendifa, CC0. — Yendifa — CC0 1.0 https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ — 1 novembre 2024, sans modification

Burkina Faso’s authorities are placing this edition under the theme of closer links between craft skills and industrialisation, aiming to develop the value of local products and cultural heritage.

At the opening, Ghanaian minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare called for stronger trade and industrial exchanges with Burkina Faso, GBC reports. Crafts, shea, cotton and leather are among the sectors discussed.

The programme includes exhibitions, sales and professional meetings. Statements of intent do not yet establish the value of contracts actually concluded.

Sources 3