25 years serving African culture
A cultural incubator that became pan-African
Born in Cotonou as a continuation of the 1997 Benin Golden Awards, the SICA Trophies Festival has promoted intercultural dialogue and the integration of African peoples through music since 2001. It celebrates the richness of Africa's intangible heritage — "Afro Ethnic Music" — and the modernity of its cultural identity. Since 2019, it has taken the path of touring, carrying Africa's voice to five countries before returning to Benin for its 20th edition in 2026.
Festival SICA's editions
Festival SICA is born
Founded in Cotonou as a continuation of the Benin Golden Awards (1997), the SICA Trophies Festival flies the flag of African culture on the world cultural stage.
12 editions in Cotonou
The festival takes root in Benin, from the 1st to the 12th edition, and becomes a major cultural event for African artists.
Touring begins
Solicited by several sister African nations, SICA chooses the path of cultural diplomacy: the 13th edition is held in Guinea-Conakry.
Back to Cotonou
The 14th and 15th editions once again take place in Benin.
16th edition — Burundi
The festival settles in Bujumbura, continuing its mission of African cultural integration.
17th edition — Cameroon
A stop in Yaoundé, with the Grand Prize for African Integration awarded to a Cameroonian figure.
18th edition — Gabon
SICA settles in Libreville for a new pan-African edition.
19th edition — Equatorial Guinea
In Malabo, the festival celebrates the theme of the impact of cultural activities on youth.
20th edition — Back to Cotonou
For its 25th anniversary, Festival SICA returns to its home city, under the theme "Heritage and Innovation".
A label recognized across Africa
Created and run by Golden International Promotion (GIP), Festival SICA has become a label known and recognized across Africa and around the world. The quality of the work and the production team's compliance with standards, led by its president Mr. ALLI Wassi (Sissy), earned the organization the QC 100 Certification affiliated with ISO 9000 in 2013, at the IDB International Convention on Quality, at the Hôtel Intercontinental in Geneva (Switzerland).
Its promoter, Mr. ALLI Wassi (Sissy), was decorated and elevated to the National Order of Merit in 2002 by Beninese President H.E. Mathieu Kérékou — a national honor for the entire team.
The organizing committee
A tight-knit team, in place for several editions, carrying Festival SICA across the continent.
ALLI Wassi (Sissy)
SICA President
Honoré AMOUSSOU
General Coordinator
Maroufatou FALOLA
SICA Patron — Director of Public Relations
Boni BOTOKU
Director of International Relations
Serge José AMESSAN
Communications Consultant
Moustapha AHOUNOU
Artistic Director
Roland GBEDJI
Production & Marketing
Ousmane AMOULE
Protocol & Communications Officer
Séraphin ADOGBAGBE
Logistics Officer
Phillipe AGUEH
Venues & Security Officer
Discover each edition's winners
From 2002 to today, explore the artists and figures who have shaped Festival SICA's history.