The Malian government has officially launched the second edition of the International Entrepreneurship Salon - AES (SIE-AES), a major event aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and economic development in the region. The ceremony took place on September 29, 2026, at the Ministry of National Entrepreneurship, Employment, and Vocational Training in Bamako. The event was attended by representatives of institutions and actors in the entrepreneurial sector, who showed great interest in this major event.
The SIE-AES 2026 will take place from November 18 to 21, 2026, at the Esplanade du Stade du 26 Mars in Bamako, under the theme "Entrepreneurship at the heart of sovereignty and economic transformation: from entrepreneurial culture to value creation in the AES space." This theme reflects the ambition of the authorities to make entrepreneurship a central lever for economic development and regional integration. The event is expected to bring together actors from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, as well as from other African countries and international partners.
The second edition of the SIE-AES takes place in a particularly favorable context, marked by the adoption of the National Entrepreneurship Strategy and its 2026-2030 Action Plan. The event aims to strengthen dialogue between the state and economic actors, promote partnerships and investments, and contribute to the development of value chains in the AES space. It also seeks to stimulate entrepreneurship among young people and women, promote innovation, and create a permanent framework for exchanges between project leaders and support structures.
The SIE-AES 2026 is expected to be a major event, with a rich and diversified program, including conferences, panels, training sessions, practical workshops, exhibitions, B2B meetings, business plan competitions, and cultural activities. The event will bring together entrepreneurs, young people, women entrepreneurs, investors, and partners, and will offer a platform for networking and cooperation. The organizers aim to make the SIE-AES a reference platform for entrepreneurship in the sub-region.
The first edition of the SIE-AES was a success, with over 5,000 participants, 15,000 visitors, 164 exhibitors, and 208 applications for the business plan competition. The second edition aims to build on this success and become an even more important event, with increased participation and diversified opportunities for exhibitors and visitors. The event is expected to be a major showcase for entrepreneurship in the region and a platform for economic cooperation and investment.
The Minister of National Entrepreneurship, Employment, and Vocational Training, Oumou Sall Seck, has called on entrepreneurs, young people, and women entrepreneurs to participate in the event, and on the media to widely cover the event and contribute to the valorization of entrepreneurial initiatives. The SIE-AES 2026 is expected to be a major event that will contribute to the development of entrepreneurship in the region and promote economic integration.
The SIE-AES 2026 will be a key platform for stakeholders to discuss and explore opportunities for entrepreneurship and economic development in the region. With its focus on promoting entrepreneurship and innovation, the event is expected to have a positive impact on the economic development of Mali and the region. The event will provide a unique opportunity for participants to network, learn, and do business.
Key points
- The second edition of the International Entrepreneurship Salon - AES (SIE-AES) will take place in Bamako from November 18 to 21, 2026.
- The event aims to promote entrepreneurship and economic development in the region, and to strengthen dialogue between the state and economic actors.
- The SIE-AES 2026 is expected to be a major platform for entrepreneurship in the sub-region, with a rich and diversified program.
