The 18th edition of the Salon international de l'artisanat de Ouagadougou (SIAO) has awarded 42 prizes to artisans from six countries, including Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Togo, Benin, and Congo-Brazzaville. The prizes were awarded in various categories, including craftsmanship, creativity, and innovation. A total of 58 works were presented at the pavilion of creativity Thomas-Sankara.
According to Agarba Patricia Badolo, deputy general director of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Burkina Faso and member of the jury, the creations presented were of high quality and gave satisfaction to the jury. The ceremony of proclaiming the results was also an opportunity for her to salute the commitment of the artisans. The laureates include Burkinabè Yempabou Tankoano, who was rewarded for his automatic weaving machine "Findi".
Other artisans were also distinguished, including Rakiatou Balboné, who was primed for her orange sweet potato macaroni, Malado Waigald for her agro-food transformation, Aboubacar Tapsoba for his leather creations, and Mahamadou Elmihidi Traoré from Mali for his intelligent trash can. The Niger won the first prize for the best national stand.
The grand prize of the president of Faso was awarded to a laureate who received 3 million CFA francs, a trophy, and an attestation. Mamadou Minkoro Traoré, president of the chambers of métiers of Mali and general commissioner of the Salon international de l'artisanat du Mali (SIAMA), saluted the progress observed over the editions and invited artisans to better appropriate the requirements of the competition.
Mounkeilla Guiré, director of investments of the artisanat and member of the international jury from Niger, appreciated the conditions in which the jury members carried out their mission. He ensured that the works took place in transparency and in complete independence. He saluted the engagement of the Burkinabè authorities in favor of the artisanat.
The theme of this edition is part of a dynamic that aims to encourage creativity, reward the know-how of artisans, and contribute to the promotion of African artisanat. The global envelope consecrated to the rewards was evaluated at 36 million CFA francs.
The SIAO 2026 edition, which took place in Ouagadougou, aimed to promote African artisanat and encourage creativity and innovation among artisans. The event brought together artisans from six countries and offered a platform for them to showcase their works and compete for prizes.
Key points
- 42 prizes were awarded to artisans from six countries at the 18th edition of SIAO.
- The Niger won the first prize for the best national stand.
- The grand prize of the president of Faso was awarded to a laureate who received 3 million CFA francs.
