20th Edition — Heritage & Innovation
Heritage and Innovation
For its 25th anniversary, Festival SICA celebrates Africa's musical heritage while highlighting innovation and new urban music trends — exploring how traditional roots shape contemporary creation.
Two categories, one edition
New name for the historic "Modern Music Inspired by Tradition" category, which keeps all of its original substance: modern music blending traditional instruments with contemporary sounds.
New category dedicated to African urban music (Rap, RnB, Salsa, Zouk, Reggae, etc.), carried by artists who address everyday life, politics and society.
The 20th edition's activities
The 20th edition of Festival SICA in Cotonou promises to be rich in cultural and artistic activities.
Live Concerts and Music Shows
Concerts of Afro Ethnic Music and Urban Music (Rap, RnB, Salsa, Zouk, Reggae, etc.), dance shows and artistic performances.
Talks and Debates
Talks, debates and master classes on culture, music and African cultural integration.
Exhibitions and Fairs
Art, photography and local product exhibitions; fairs where craftspeople and businesses showcase their products.
Cultural Exchanges
Exchanges between festival-goers and local artists to promote understanding and cooperation between peoples.
SICA Fashion Show
A fashion show showcasing creations by African designers.
Various Games
Entertainment games organized to delight festival-goers, visitors and the public.
Gala and Competition Evening
Awards ceremony for the various SICA Trophies rewarding the best artists, winners and public figures.
Tourist Visits
Discovering Benin's cultural and historical riches in the cities of Cotonou, Ouidah and Porto-Novo.
The day-by-day programme
Venue: Cotonou.
- Arrival, welcome and check-in of festival-goers
- Visual arts creation residency from November 6 to 11 in Ouidah, with African and European visual artists
- Guided tour with the guest visual artists
- 19:00 – 21:00 — Dinner
- Arrival, welcome and check-in of festival-goers
- Visual arts creation residency in Ouidah
- 10:00 – 13:00 — Cultural Journalism Training at the CNOA (formerly Ciné-VOG Cotonou): ethics and professional standards for cultural journalists in Africa (championing local artists, avoiding toxic buzz); podcasting to reach younger audiences
- 19:00 – 21:00 — Dinner
- Arrival, welcome and check-in of festival-goers
- End of the visual arts creation residency in Ouidah
- 10:00 – 13:00 — Fashion Design & Sewing Training at the CNOA (formerly Ciné-VOG Cotonou): professionalizing and showcasing "Made in Benin", Afro-contemporary styling, from tradition to haute couture
- 13:00 – 15:00 — Lunch
- 15:00 – 17:00 — Modeling Training at the CNOA (formerly Ciné-VOG Cotonou): professional models to showcase African creations — runway walk and posture, wearing fabric, gait, gaze and managing stage stress
- 17:00 – 19:00 — B2B meeting with Beninese cultural stakeholders
- 19:00 – 21:00 — Dinner
- 20:00 – 22:00 — Live concert at the CNOA (formerly Ciné-VOG Cotonou)
- Arrival, welcome and check-in of festival-goers
- 9:00 – 19:00 — Opening: exhibition of the works created
- 10:00 – 13:00 — Training "The influence of AI on musical works": in 2026, AI hasn't replaced the artist — it has become their creative instrument, faster, further
- 13:00 – 15:00 — Lunch
- 14:00 – 16:00 — Visual Arts for Stage Design Training: from the studio to the stage, at the CNOA (formerly Ciné-VOG Cotonou)
- 16:00 – 18:00 — Official opening of the 20th edition of Festival SICA 2026 at the CNOA (formerly Ciné-VOG Cotonou), with a tribute to Boncana Maïga
- 18:00 – 18:30 — Visit by authorities and guests for the visual artists' opening
- 18:30 – 19:00 — Cocktail reception
- 19:00 – 21:00 — Dinner
- 19:00 – 23:00 — Couleurs Locales: SICA Fashion Show and live concert
- 9:00 – 19:00 — Opening: art exhibition
- 10:00 – 13:00 — Talk on the festival theme "Heritage and Innovation" (perspectives and benefits), at the CNOA (formerly Ciné-VOG Cotonou)
- 13:00 – 15:00 — Lunch
- 15:00 – 17:00 — B2B meeting between festival-goers and cultural stakeholders attending the festival
- 19:00 – 23:00 — 1st round of the SICA 2026 competition
- 9:00 – 19:00 — Opening: exhibition of the works created
- 10:00 – 13:00 — Free time
- 13:00 – 15:00 — Lunch
- 15:00 – 19:00 — Free time
- 19:00 – 00:00 — SICA 2026 Grand Gala Evening: competition final, announcement of results and presentation of the SICA-Cotonou 2026 Trophies
- 10:00 – 15:00 — Guided tourist visit (Ouidah and Porto-Novo)
- 15:00 – 20:00 — Picnic on the beach in Cotonou with all festival-goers and guests
- 20th edition of Festival SICA comes to a close
Seven awards, one shared quest for excellence
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.
27 countries invited to Cotonou 2026
01
Benin
02
Burkina Faso
03
Burundi
04
Cameroon
05
Central African Republic
06
Congo (Brazzaville)
07
Cape Verde
08
Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa)
09
Ivory Coast
10
Gabon
11
Ghana
12
Guinea (Conakry)
13
Equatorial Guinea
14
Madagascar
15
Mali
16
Mauritania
17
Niger
18
Nigeria
19
Senegal
20
Togo
21
Chad
22
Ethiopia
23
Gambia
24
Egypt
25
South Africa
26
Turkey
27
Zimbabwe
Festival SICA's audience
- Artists, cultural stakeholders, students
- Decision-makers and political, administrative and cultural authorities, local and international
- Beninese, African and foreign media supporting the event
- Partners, sponsors and patrons
- The general public and spectators
Experience the 20th edition of Festival SICA
Vote for your favorite artist or associate your brand with this landmark pan-African cultural event.