The Minister of Arts and Culture, representing the Prime Minister and Head of Government, officially presided over the closing ceremony of the 9th edition of the Cameroon International Handicrafts Fair known in French as SIARC on August 5, 2026, at the esplanade of the National Museum.
Centered around the theme “Between Tradition and Modernity: How to stimulate Artisanal Innovation?”, this year’s landmark event brought together more than 800 artisans from across the African continent. The primary mission focused on safeguarding ancestral heritage and traditional know-how while actively embracing modern technologies, contemporary design, and forward-thinking commercialization channels.
Delivering the executive address, the Minister commended the seamless execution of the fair and assured that the Cameroonian government, under the leadership of President Paul Biya, takes full measure of the final policy recommendations. He stressed that craftsmanship can no longer be dismissed as a mere secondary side activity or marginal economic appendix. Instead, it represents a foundational pillar for sustainable growth and job creation across Africa, aligning directly with the core objectives of Cameroon’s National Development Strategy 2020-2030 (SND30).
The Prime Minister’s representative highlighted the resounding success and consistent momentum SIARC has maintained over the years. The event continues to inspire growing enthusiasm among local artisans, international visitors, and partner nations who participate in increasingly large numbers. This continuous continental engagement reinforces the fair’s status as a premier platform for driving both cultural preservation and regional economic integration.
Furthermore, the 9th edition reaffirmed three vital lessons for the sector’s future. It demonstrated that African nations boast a high-performing handicraft sector capable of addressing socio-economic challenges, while proving that the industry holds immense potential to generate sustainable wealth and employment. Crucially, the proceedings underscored that mobilizing public, private, national, and international partners remains essential to successfully integrating African artisans into high-value global supply chains.
Supervised by the Ministry of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts, the closing ceremony concluded with an official award presentation celebrating exceptional artisans across multiple categories.
The event drew to an inspiring close while giving special recognition to Algeria and Côte d’Ivoire, the two distinguished guest countries of honor for this 2026 edition.
