From August 22 to 31, 2025, the 19th edition of the Benin National Handicrafts Fair (SNAB) was marked by the strong participation of artisans with disabilities. Supported by the NGO Sightsavers, they used this platform to call for the signing and ratification of the African Disability Protocol (ADP), adopted by the African Union.
The Palais des Congrès in Cotonou hosted the creativity and craftsmanship of “Made in Benin” artisans. But beyond the stands and exhibitions, the voices of artisans with disabilities rose in defense of their rights. Their works, ranging from furniture to decorative items, impressed visitors and caught the attention of the authorities.
Thanks to the initiative of the Minister of Social Affairs and Microfinance, Véronique Tognifodé, and with the support of Sightsavers and the Federation of Associations of People with Disabilities of Benin (FAPHB), five artisans with disabilities had the opportunity to showcase their creations.
“We welcome this inclusion, which allows us to show that disability is not a fatality,” they said, reiterating their gratitude to the minister and the partner NGO.
A call for a continental legal instrument
During her visit on August 28, 2025, Minister Véronique Tognifodé encouraged the artisans, praising their economic autonomy and determination. However, they seized the opportunity to make a specific request: the signing and ratification of the African Disability Protocol (ADP) by Benin.
Adopted in 2018 by the African Union, the ADP provides a legal framework for protecting the rights of people with disabilities in the African context. It came into force on May 3, 2024, after the 15th ratification. The protocol addresses sensitive issues such as traditional beliefs, harmful practices, systemic discrimination, and targeted violence against persons with albinism, women, and elderly people with disabilities.
So far, 15 AU member states, including Nigeria, Cameroon, and Rwanda, have ratified it. Despite progress in inclusion, Benin has yet to do so, even though the ADP complements the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Inclusion and artisanal excellence
For Sightsavers, a strategic partner of the initiative, “it is time for Benin to join the African momentum and fully commit to protecting the rights of people with disabilities.” The NGO not only provided financial and technical support for the participation of artisans with disabilities, but also amplified the political weight of their message.
The 19th edition of SNAB showed that craftsmanship excludes no one and that creativity knows no barriers. Testimonials from visitors and authorities, including the French Development Agency (AFD), confirmed the positive impact of this inclusive participation.