November 9 – 15, 2026 · C.N.O.A, Cotonou

The full programme

One week, six formats

What's in store

On culture, music and African cultural integration.

Art, photography and local products, craftspeople and businesses.

Between festival-goers and local artists, for cooperation between peoples.

A show showcasing creations by African designers.

Presentation of the SICA Trophies to the best artists and public figures.

Discovering Cotonou, Ouidah and Porto-Novo.

Day by day

Venue: Cotonou.

Monday November 9 2026

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

Tuesday November 10 2026

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

Wednesday November 11 2026

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)

Thursday November 12 2026

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

Friday November 13 2026

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

Saturday November 14 2026

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

Sunday November 15 2026

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

Everything about the 20th edition, the awards and the invited countries.

20th edition Contact us