Nakambe: On the sidelines of the Nakambe Regional Handicrafts Fair (SARA) 2025, the first edition of the SARA Academy opened this Wednesday in Tenkodogo. This initiative of the National Organizing Committee (CNO) aims to strengthen the capacities of stakeholders in the handicrafts sector through exchanges, training, and the sharing of experiences.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the Director General of SIAO, Eric Bassole, highlighted the mobilization of the participants during his opening speech and noted that this innovation marks "a new era of professionalization and valorization of artisanal know-how." He emphasized the necessity of creating a space for technical exchange and practical training after four editions devoted mainly to exhibitions, to enable artisans to better meet the demands of the market.

The presentations at the SARA Academy covered topics including business strategies, labeling, digitalization, exporting, and market access. Experts from the National Center for Industrial Property (CNPI) and the Burkina Faso Export Promotion Agency (APEX-B) led these sessions, complemented by the sharing of experiences from stakeholders in the field.

The Academy also addressed a social dimension through a communication from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on the impact of violent extremism on community dialogue and cross-border trade. This intervention aimed to raise awareness among participants about the need to preserve social cohesion, which is considered a key factor in economic development and the dynamism of the craft sector.

The involvement of vocational schools and young learners in the Academy reflects SARA's commitment to promoting the transmission of knowledge and techniques linked to innovation. In closing the ceremony, the Director General of SIAO invited the participants to make this Academy "a framework for learning, networking and reflection," expressing hope that the conclusions from the work would contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of Burkinabe artisanal products on national and international markets.

With the establishment of the SARA Academy, Burkina Faso is initiating a new dynamic of skills development and promotion of the craft sector.