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SIAM AWALÉ 2026

Salon International des Arts et Métiers - Made by Africans

Dates 4 - 6 December 2026
Venue Cotonou, Bénin (venue to be confirmed) Cotonou, Benin
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4 - 6 December 2026 Cotonou, Bénin (venue to be confirmed) Founding edition · Cultural and Creative Industries

SIAM AWALÉ 2026, Salon International des Arts et Métiers, is the founding edition of an international fair dedicated to the Cultural and Creative Industries. Three days in Cotonou, from 4 to 6 December 2026, built around three pillars: Radical Sustainability, Ethics in Action and Creative Innovation.

This first edition opens with textiles and ready-to-wear, supported by design and visual arts, music and culinary arts.

20 designers at the Grand Défilé

Radical Sustainability

Local, natural and organic materials: Kanvô, batik, indigo, plant dyes.

Ethics in Action

Fair remuneration for the artisans, from the first workshop to the runway.

Creative Innovation

Design and visual arts, music and culinary arts around textiles.

  • Local materials — natural and organic (Kanvô, batik, indigo, plant dyes).
  • 80 % eco-responsible collections on the runway.
  • Fair remuneration for the artisans.
Program

The 13 pillars of the Expo 2026

Three days to explore the art and craftsmanship of Benin through 13 complementary dimensions.

01
Management

Management & Coordination

Overall strategic steering, cross-pole coordination, institutional representation of the project and international technical support.

  • SDG 16Peace, justice and strong institutions16.7
  • SDG 17Partnerships for the goals17.17
  • CIAAC ONG
  • Pole no. 01
11
Cross-cutting platform

Communication (PR, Press)

Image of the fair, press and public relations, visibility of the event and its partners.

  • SDG 11Sustainable cities and communities11.4
  • SDG 17Partnerships for the goals17.17
  • CADRECO · Impact Event
  • Pole no. 11
08
Cross-cutting platform

Technical & Digital

NVBB Nederland supports the SIAM every year: technical support for the team and the event, digital ticketing and online sales of the products of women and men artisans from Benin who join nenthol.nl. Every year, NVBB Nederland does its utmost to grow their sales.

  • SDG 8Decent work and economic growth8.3
  • SDG 9Industry, innovation and infrastructure9.c
  • SDG 17Partnerships for the goals17.11
  • NVBB Nederland
  • Pole no. 08
04
Thematic pole

Logistics & Operations

Site layout, equipment, security, flows and logistical reception of exhibitors.

  • SDG 8Decent work and economic growth8.8
  • SDG 11Sustainable cities and communities11.7
  • Impact Event
  • Pole no. 04
05
Thematic pole

Finance & Compliance

Xcom Conseils: financial management and lobbying; organises and manages the sponsorship funds for SIAM AWALÉ 2026.

  • SDG 16Peace, justice and strong institutions16.6
  • SDG 17Partnerships for the goals17.17
  • Xcom Conseils
  • Pole no. 05
07
Thematic pole

Education & Workshop

Masterclasses, workshops and mentoring sessions for women and men artisans and the general public.

  • SDG 4Quality education4.3 · 4.4
  • SDG 8Decent work and economic growth8.6
  • AFISAC
  • Pole no. 07
12
Thematic pole

Artistic & Professional — Ethical Charter

Compliance with the ethical charter and support for the professionalisation of creators.

  • SDG 8Decent work and economic growth8.7 · 8.8
  • SDG 12Responsible consumption and production12.2
  • CIAAC ONG
  • Pole no. 12
03
Thematic pole

Artistic Co-creation

Artistic direction of the fair, leadership of the Grand Défilé and co-creation of the collections.

  • SDG 8Decent work and economic growth8.3
  • SDG 11Sustainable cities and communities11.4
  • Avô Fashion Reception
  • Pole no. 03
06
Thematic pole

Hospitality & Networking

Public and VIP hospitality, B2B meetings and visitor reception.

  • SDG 8Decent work and economic growth8.3 · 8.9
  • SDG 17Partnerships for the goals17.17
  • MedA Conseils
  • Pole no. 06
02
Thematic pole

Technical & Quality

Standards, certification, quality control and compliance of the products on show; for online sales on nenthol.nl, quality is certified by CIAAC with MedA Conseils.

  • SDG 9Industry, innovation and infrastructure9.3
  • SDG 12Responsible consumption and production12.5 · 12.6
  • La Maison du Thé
  • Pole no. 02
14
Thematic sub-pole

Synergy, Gender & Entrepreneurship

MedA Conseils, specialist in gender and entrepreneurship, working closely with women and men artisans: cross-cutting integration of gender, entrepreneurship and personal development; validation of artisans and membership number for the nenthol.nl marketplace.

  • SDG 5Gender equality5.5 · 5.b
  • SDG 8Decent work and economic growth8.3
  • MedA Conseils
  • Pole no. 14
13
Thematic pole

Fusion of Arts & Discovery

Support for the event, the stands, the workshops and the master classes through music, design, visual arts, culinary arts and wellbeing arts.

  • SDG 4Quality education4.7
  • SDG 11Sustainable cities and communities11.4
  • Papille & Co
  • Pole no. 13
10
Cross-cutting platform

Marketing & Prospecting

Exhibitor and buyer prospecting, marketing strategy and commercial development of the fair.

  • SDG 8Decent work and economic growth8.3
  • SDG 17Partnerships for the goals17.17
  • Being verified
  • Pole no. 10

Last updated:

Get involved

How to participate?

Whether you are a visitor, an artisan or an exhibitor, choose your entry point to experience SIAM 2026.

Get your tickets

Public, student, professional, VIP — book online, secure Kkiapay payment.

Online ticketing

Eco-tourism trip

Experience the Expo with an immersive program in Benin: artisans, workshops, culture, nature.

Book my immersion

Expo exhibitor stand

Artisans, creators and brands: book your stand on our marketplace.

Book my stand
Coalition

Our official partners

NGO

CIAAC

Project owner. Centre International Africain des Arts et de la Créativité, the Beninese NGO behind the fair and the international AWALÉ network. Strategic direction, event coordination, oversight of the operational departments. Contributes to SDGs 8 (decent work and economic growth), 11 (cultural heritage) and 17 (partnerships).

Visit website
Partner

MedA Conseils

Consulting partner. Beninese consultancy founded in 2008, based in Abomey-Calavi, providing multidisciplinary and multisectoral expertise. Leads the Synergy, Gender and Entrepreneurship branch. Contributes to SDGs 5 (gender equality) and 8 (decent work and economic growth).

Visit website

With the support of PUM Netherlands senior experts (external site, new tab)

Practical info

Where to find us

Cotonou, Bénin (venue to be confirmed)
Place de l'Amazone ou Palais des Congrès de Cotonou
Benin
Open in Google Maps
Certified by CIAAC and MedA ConseilsGuaranteed authenticity
Worldwide deliveryDHL, PostNL & La Poste du Bénin
Secure paymentMobile Money, card & iDEAL
Fair payThe artisan sets the price

They trusted us

Delivered by

Payments secured by

  • Mollie Bank card, iDEAL, Bancontact (in euros)
  • Kkiapay Mobile Money and local cards (in FCFA)