SIAM Online Ltd - Salon International des Arts et Métiers

Venue and dates

Cotonou, Benin, from 4 to 6 December 2026.
The exact venue is being finalised between Place de l'Amazone and the Palais des Congrès in Cotonou. It will be confirmed to all delegations once negotiations conclude. The dates will not change.

Passport valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates.
Visa: most nationalities obtain an e-visa online at evisa.bj, issued within 24 hours. A few countries, including ECOWAS members and Rwanda, enter without a visa for short stays. Check your case on evisa.bj before booking.
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is generally required for travel between African countries and may be checked on arrival.
Travel insurance covering the length of your stay is strongly recommended.
ONG CIAAC provides an official invitation letter on request, useful for travel authorisation, transit or a visa application.

A three-star hotel in Cotonou offers reasonable comfort: private room, breakfast, air conditioning, Wi-Fi.
Expect 45,000 to 70,000 FCFA per night.
The organising team can share a list of hotels near the venue and coordinate group accommodation on request, which often lowers the cost.

Budget around 10,000 FCFA per day for travel between your hotel and the venue.
Depending on the number of participants, the Logistics pole may arrange a shared shuttle. This will be confirmed closer to the event.

The local currency is the West African CFA franc (FCFA). Indicative rate: 1 EUR to around 650 FCFA.
Cash in FCFA remains the safest option for daily expenses.
Card acceptance is limited outside large hotels. Plan to exchange part of your budget on arrival.

December is the dry season in Cotonou: hot and humid, generally 25 to 32 °C.
Light, breathable clothing for the day, plus professional attire for meetings and the opening ceremony.
Comfortable shoes: you will be standing at your booth for long hours.
A light jacket or scarf for air-conditioned spaces.
Sun protection and a reusable water bottle.
Universal adapter: Benin uses type C and E sockets, 220 volts.

Exhibitors: enough stock for three days of selling, business cards, brochures and price lists, your own signage if you have it, and a card or mobile money payment option alongside cash.
Runway designers: pieces ready for the catwalk, labelled and organised, a lookbook or styling notes to share with the artistic direction before rehearsals, and any accessories required for your presentation.

The Welcome and Networking pole is your main point of contact: orientation, badges, on-site assistance.
The Logistics and Operations pole manages site access, booth set-up and transport coordination.