SIAO, the Ouagadougou International Arts and Crafts Fair (Salon international de l'artisanat de Ouagadougou), is a major fair of African crafts held every two years, in even-numbered years, in the capital of Burkina Faso. For ten days, artisans from across the continent exhibit and sell their work there. The 18th edition is announced for October 30 to November 8, 2026.
Watch out
France Diplomatie (the French foreign ministry's travel advice) strongly advises against all travel to Burkina Faso, including Ouagadougou, for any reason. The country broke off diplomatic relations with France on June 26, 2026: the French embassy and consulate are closed, and French nationals in the country risk arrest or detention. This page describes the fair; it does not recommend going.
Origins and meaning of SIAO
The fair grew out of a first exhibition called “Artisanat 84,” organized under the presidency of Thomas Sankara. It was institutionalized in 1988 under its current name, according to C'Finance. It has returned every two years since.
Its purpose is as commercial as it is cultural. It aims to open international markets to African artisans and to encourage trade between countries. To that end, the organizers invite professional buyers from several continents, in addition to the general public.
The fair also gives out awards. In 2024, the Grand Prize of the President of Faso, awarded by country, went to Mali, ahead of Niger and Burkina Faso, according to Burkina 24. The jury president, Mamadou Traoré, stressed the finish of the products as a condition for exporting them.
What you will find there
SIAO is held at the Ouagadougou exhibition grounds, a seven-hectare site with six pavilions according to Afrique-sur7 (2022). Each participating country has its own stands, and the regions of Burkina Faso compete against one another.
For 2026 the organizers announced several new features, detailed by Sidwaya and C'Finance:
- air conditioning in all the exhibition pavilions;
- a village for the guest-of-honor country;
- themed workshops;
- e-SIAO online ticketing, launched in 2024 to cut waiting times at the entrances;
- use of the neighboring Ouagadougou Craft Village to spread the crowds out.
For the 18th edition, we plan to air-condition all of our exhibition pavilions.
The 2026 theme is “African Crafts and Industrialization: What Synergy for Better Organization and Promotion of Local Products and Cultural Heritage.”
Announced dates and figures
| Edition | Dates | What we know |
|---|---|---|
| 16th (2022) | October 28 to November 6 | more than 4,000 exhibitors announced |
| 17th (2024) | from October 25, closing November 2 | about 2,000 exhibitors from some twenty countries |
| 18th (2026) | October 30 to November 8 | more than 700 stands and about thirty countries expected |
For 2026, the organizers are aiming for nearly 450,000 visitors from the general public, according to Sidwaya and C'Finance. These are targets, not recorded figures. As of mid-October 2026, the sources we consulted did not give the entrance fee for visitors or the name of the guest-of-honor country.
Attending: what you need to know
We do not advise traveling to Burkina Faso for the fair. France Diplomatie classifies the whole country as red. The terrorist threat and kidnapping risk are very high, and France no longer has any consular representation in the country. Also check your own government's travel advice.
If a trip is still essential, for example for an exhibiting artisan, here are the formalities listed by official sources:
- Visa: depending on your nationality, one may be required; check your case on our Burkina Faso entry requirements page or on the official portal visaburkina.bf, where you apply online, at least one to two weeks before you leave.
- Travel form: mandatory online before every entry and every exit since April 8, 2026.
- Health: the yellow fever vaccine is mandatory.
Watch out
The fair draws hundreds of thousands of visitors: exactly the kind of gathering France Diplomatie asks travelers to avoid. Do not travel at night, vary your routes and register your trip with your government (French citizens use Ariane).
The details are on our Burkina Faso entry requirements page. See also our Burkina Faso guide and the other festivals in Burkina Faso, including FESPACO.
Frequently asked questions
Does SIAO take place every year?
No, every two years, in even-numbered years. It alternates with FESPACO, which is held in odd-numbered years.
Who can exhibit at SIAO?
Artisans and artisan organizations from all over Africa, registered with the organizers. In 2026 a stand cost 550,000 CFA francs, or 600,000 CFA francs on the main aisles, according to C'Finance.
Do you need to buy a ticket in advance?
An online ticketing service, e-SIAO, has existed since 2024 alongside the ticket windows. The 2026 entrance fee was not published in the sources we consulted.
