MIVA 2025: A Strong Focus on Women and Innovation in Ivorian Handicrafts

The 6th edition of the Ivorian Handicrafts Fair (MIVA) officially opened on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at the Abidjan Exhibition Park in Port-Bouët. The ceremony was presided over by Senate President Kandia Camara, who celebrated the event as a key platform to showcase and elevate Ivorian craftsmanship.

This year’s fair is held under the theme “Handicrafts, Women, and Transformation”, with the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Africa serving as the special guest and guest of honor respectively. The event drew notable government officials, including State Minister for Agriculture and Food Crops, Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani, who represented Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé, patron of the event.

Speaking as the event's patron, Kandia Camara praised MIVA as a powerful tool in promoting the creativity, expertise, and resilience of local artisans.

“This event is a testament to our national commitment to support talent and promote ‘Made in Côte d’Ivoire’ products,” she stated.

She emphasized that artisans play a crucial role in the country’s economy through their ability to generate both employment and wealth. Their skills, she said, not only influence daily life but also contribute meaningfully to the construction of a vibrant Ivorian society.

Highlighting the role of women artisans, Camara noted that in her commune of Abobo, there are more than 140,000 artisans. She praised women for their contributions to the transformation of local raw materials and announced the donation of a 3-hectare site in Bonoua to support female-led initiatives in value-added production.

“Every item you craft is a symbol of a resilient Côte d’Ivoire that honors its roots. I encourage you to believe in your potential, embrace innovation, and take full advantage of government programs supporting artisanal development,” she urged.

Minister of Trade and Industry, Souleymane Diarrassouba, added that the handicraft sector currently contributes 19.5% to the national GDP. He highlighted the reforms launched to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem, such as the creation of:

The One-Stop Shop for Business Development (GUDE)

Côte d'Ivoire PME

The SME Guarantee Company

And the Côte d’Ivoire SME Agency,
all designed to facilitate access to finance, training, and markets for artisans.

This edition of MIVA, running from April 22 to 27, expects over 600 exhibitors and 100,000 visitors, and features exciting new additions:

A MIVA Kids space for young artisans,

A dedicated platform for Web TV creators,

The creation of a MIVA Village,

The launch of the “À chez nous pays” Award,

A Women’s Investment Day,

Various panels, awards, and exhibitions highlighting innovation in craftwork.

MIVA 2025 reaffirms Côte d’Ivoire’s commitment to building a strong, inclusive, and dynamic artisanal sector — with women at the heart of transformation.