Rabat: AfricUpdate – News Desk
Morocco has been named guest of honor at the 19th National Craft Fair of Benin (SNAB), held from August 22 to 31 in Cotonou. The event celebrates the creativity and skill of artisans from across Africa, offering them a stage to showcase their work and connect with new markets. A Moroccan delegation, led by Abderrahim Zemzami, president of the Chamber of Artisans of Rabat-Sale-Kenitra, is representing the country at the fair.
The group includes craftsmen eager to share their knowledge with Beninese peers and strengthen local expertise. The delegation also seeks to explore opportunities for regional and international trade. In a speech during the opening ceremony, Modeste Tihounté Kerekou, Benin’s Minister of SMEs and Employment Promotion, welcomed Morocco’s participation.
He spoke about the value of exchanging skills and experience with countries like Morocco to help the local artisan sector grow. This year’s fair operates under the theme “Beninese Craftsmanship: Challenges and Opportunities in Product Labeling and Certification for Access to Local and International Markets.” It features 150 stands, including 20 from foreign countries. Organizers hope the event will help Benin’s artisans meet international standards and expand their reach beyond the country.
Morocco’s rich artisanal heritage, spanning intricate ceramics, textiles, and expertly crafted leather and metalwork, has earned global recognition. Being named guest of honor at the Benin National Craft Fair shows the country’s skill in traditional crafts as well as its openness to exchange knowledge and foster collaboration with artisans beyond its borders.
