OUAGADOUGOU: On the third day of the 17th edition of the Ouagadougou International Crafts Fair (SIAO), vendors of grills, skewers, and beverages expressed cautious optimism about their business prospects. Despite a slow start, these entrepreneurs hope to achieve profitability before the conclusion of the biennial event.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Mariam Ouédraogo, a first-time participant selling skewers, merguez, and sausages, acknowledged the initial sluggishness in sales but remained hopeful. She noted that the rental fee for her stand was 200,000 FCFA, a cost she deemed somewhat steep. Nonetheless, Ouédraogo was optimistic that she would recover her investment and turn a profit before the fair ends.
Nearby, Abdallah Zagré, another vendor, offered grilled chicken priced between 4,500 and 6,000 CFA francs. Reflecting a similar sentiment to Ouédraogo, Zagré described the market as “gloomy” and expressed dissatisfaction with the operating hours, which require vendors to close at 11 p.m. on wee
kends and 10 p.m. on weekdays. He expressed a preference for extended hours, hoping it would improve business prospects.
Meanwhile, bar managers at the fair reported a more favorable experience, particularly over the weekend. The cashier at the Affissa maquis noted that business was strong on that day, though he speculated that a recent 100 CFA franc increase in drink prices might have affected sales on other days. Despite these fluctuations, beverage stands remained consistently busy throughout the event.