Announcement
The 20th edition returns home to Cotonou
After five traveling editions, Festival SICA returns to its home city to celebrate 25 years of African cultural integration.
20th edition — Cotonou, Benin
Heritage & Innovation
25 years celebrating African music and building bridges between peoples. Join us November 9–15, 2026 at the C.N.O.A, Cotonou.
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Days
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Hours
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Min
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Benin
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cameroon
Central African Republic
Congo (Brazzaville)
Cape Verde
Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa)
Ivory Coast
Gabon
Ghana
Guinea (Conakry)
Equatorial Guinea
Madagascar
Mali
Mauritania
Niger
Nigeria
Senegal
Togo
Chad
Ethiopia
Gambia
Egypt
South Africa
Turkey
Zimbabwe
Benin
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cameroon
Central African Republic
Congo (Brazzaville)
Cape Verde
Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa)
Ivory Coast
Gabon
Ghana
Guinea (Conakry)
Equatorial Guinea
Madagascar
Mali
Mauritania
Niger
Nigeria
Senegal
Togo
Chad
Ethiopia
Gambia
Egypt
South Africa
Turkey
Zimbabwe
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Years of history
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Countries visited since 2019
0
Countries invited in 2026
0
Trophies awarded
This edition's theme
Heritage and Innovation
For its 25th anniversary, Festival SICA celebrates Africa's musical heritage while opening the stage to new urban trends. Two categories embody this edition:
Afro Ethnic Music
Modern music inspired by African traditions, blending traditional instruments with contemporary sounds.
Urban Music
Rap, RnB, Salsa, Zouk, Reggae, etc. — African urban music carrying the realities and culture of the continent.
The 2026 SICA Trophies
Seven awards, one shared quest for excellence
Each year, an international jury honors the figures and artists who bring African culture to the world stage.
Grand Prize for African Integration
Awarded to a leading political figure working for the development of African culture.
African Cultural Integration Award
Awarded to a leading figure of the African arts world.
SICA Afro Ethnic Music Award
Rewards the artist or group with the most points in the Afro Ethnic category.
SICA Urban Music Award
Rewards the competition's best African Urban Music artist (Rap, RnB, Salsa, Zouk, Reggae, etc.).
SICA Live Presenter Award
Rewards the host who presents their country and artist live on stage.
SICA Music Video Award
Awarded to the best music video, judged by an international jury.
Audience Award
Awarded to the artist chosen by the audience during the gala evening.
SICA Fair Play Award
Special award given to a unifying and generous personality of the edition.
The appointment is set for Cotonou 2026. So that Africa remembers that culture is our first wealth and our best ambassador.
ALLI Wassi (Sissy) — SICA President
November 9–15, 2026
A week of celebrations
Live Concerts
Afro Ethnic Music and Urban Music on stage.
SICA Fashion Show
Fashion show honoring African designers.
Talks & Master Classes
Discussions on culture, integration and cultural journalism.
Gala Evening
Presentation of the SICA Trophies to the 2026 winners.
News
See all →
The festival's latest news
Competition
Two new music categories in 2026
"Afro Ethnic Music" and "Urban Music" join the competition to reflect the richness and modernity of African sounds.
Programme
27 countries invited for a week of festivities
Concerts, a Fashion Show, talks and a gala evening will fill the week of November 9–15 at the C.N.O.A in Cotonou.
Since 2001
A festival that became pan-African
Traveling since 2019, Festival SICA has already been hosted in Guinea-Conakry, Burundi, Cameroon, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
- 2019 13th edition Guinea-Conakry
- 2022 16th edition Burundi
- 2023 17th edition Cameroon
- 2024 18th edition Gabon
- 2025 19th edition Equatorial Guinea
In pictures
Full gallery →
Festival SICA's highlights
They support the festival
Our partners & sponsors
Support the 20th edition of Festival SICA
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