The first edition of the SKBoWa Agricultural Trade Fair is set to take place in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, from November 20-29, 2026. The event, themed "Cross-border trade: valorizing agricultural products for economic development and social cohesion," seeks to strengthen commercial exchanges between Burkina Faso, Mali, Côte d'Ivoire, and Ghana. Organizers expect 20,000 participants and have prepared 300 exhibition stands.
The fair aims to create a platform for meetings and business opportunities between agricultural sector actors from Sikasso, Mali; Korhogo, Côte d'Ivoire; Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso; and Wa, Ghana. According to Paul Ouédraogo, president of the Burkinabé Mango Interprofession, the region has historically been marked by commercial exchanges and social and cultural ties. The event seeks to consolidate these relations by offering new collaboration opportunities.
The SKBoWa region boasts significant agricultural potential, with diverse productions including maize, cassava, soybeans, mangoes, poultry, potatoes, livestock, meat, fish, wheat, and cashews. Despite this diversity, trade between territories faces several challenges, including fragmented markets, lack of knowledge about available products, non-tariff barriers, fiscal constraints, and underdeveloped distribution circuits.
The fair will feature 300 stands showcasing products from four countries and activities to promote experience sharing and lasting commercial relationships. Country-specific days will highlight each nation's economic specificities and opportunities. Conferences and panels will discuss cross-border trade, agricultural transformation, market access, competitiveness, and sub-regional economic integration. A cultural space and children's play area will also be available.
The event is supported by several partners, including the Burkinabé ministries of agriculture and trade, as well as the German development cooperation, with co-financing from the European Union. Organizers aim to make the fair a starting point for better integration of agricultural markets in the SKBoWa region, leading to sustainable commercial partnerships and job creation.
The official opening ceremony is scheduled for November 21, 2026, and a "Night of Agricultural Value Chains" event is also planned. An appeal has been made to producers, transformers, traders, professional organizations, enterprises, and buyers from the four countries to participate in the event. Registration for the exhibition-vente is open until November 10, 2026.
Bobo-Dioulasso is expected to become a hub for commercial exchanges and agricultural product valorization during the SKBoWa fair, with the goal of making cross-border trade an instrument for economic development and social cohesion. The event is expected to generate value-added and jobs for actors in various value chains.
Key points
- The SKBoWa Agricultural Trade Fair aims to strengthen commercial exchanges between Burkina Faso, Mali, Côte d'Ivoire, and Ghana.
- The event will feature 300 exhibition stands and expects 20,000 participants.
- The fair seeks to create sustainable commercial partnerships and job creation in the SKBoWa region.
