The Assembly of the People (ALP) has taken steps to promote and value the creative genius of Burkinabè and African artisans. As part of the 18th edition of the International Salon of Artisanal Crafts in Ouagadougou (SIAO), a delegation led by the ALP president visited the exhibition site on November 4, 2026. The visit allowed the delegation to discover the products on display, interact with artisans, and familiarize themselves with local skills.
The ALP president, accompanied by the Minister of Trade, visited the Soleil levant pavilion, where they toured stands from the 17 regions, the presidency of Faso, the creativity pavilion, and the AES village. The objective of the visit was to encourage artisans and showcase their skills. The ALP president expressed satisfaction with the quality of works on display, testifying to the creative genius and skills of Burkinabè artisans.
This 18th edition of SIAO is held under the theme "African Artisanal Crafts and Industrialization: What Synergy for Better Organization and Valorization of Local Products and Cultural Heritage." The ALP president considers this theme essential, particularly in the context of the quest for economic sovereignty. He emphasized that industrialization is a necessary step, based on better organization of sectors, including artisanal crafts.
The ALP president announced that his institution will contribute to promoting the artisanal sector through two awards: the Thomas Sankara Creativity Prize and the Regions Prize. The Thomas Sankara Prize aims to reward artisans' ingenuity and innovation, while the Regions Prize seeks to valorize artisanal initiatives from different Burkinabè regions. These awards are intended to encourage artisans and promote local skills.
The ALP delegation visited the 17 regional stands to discover productions and encourage exhibiting artisans. The president invited the population to visit the SIAO site to discover the creations on display and support sector actors. He stressed the importance of consuming local products, which contributes to strengthening artisans' positions in the national economy.
The 18th edition of the International Salon of Artisanal Crafts in Ouagadougou began on October 30, 2026, and will continue until November 8, 2026. Ghana is the guest country of honor, while Mali and Niger are special guests. The ALP's initiative to introduce these two awards aims to promote Burkinabè artisans' creativity and skills.
By introducing these awards, the ALP seeks to contribute to the recognition of artisans' work and the promotion of local skills. The president emphasized that the industrialization of artisanal crafts is crucial for the country's economic development. The ALP's involvement in promoting artisanal crafts is expected to have a positive impact on the sector.
Key points
- - The ALP introduces two awards to promote Burkinabè artisans' creativity and skills at the 18th SIAO. - The awards aim to reward artisans' ingenuity and innovation and valorize artisanal initiatives from different Burkinabè regions. - The 18th edition of SIAO is held under the theme "African Artisanal Crafts and Industrialization".
