African participation in international exhibitions must become “a genuine driver of economic diplomacy, attractiveness and cooperation,” Tunisian Trade Minister Samir Abid said on Thursday at the opening of the second African session of the capacity-building program organized by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) in Tunis.
Bringing together more than 30 senior representatives from 11 African countries, alongside delegates from upcoming World Expos — Expo 2025 Osaka, Expo 2027 Belgrade and Expo 2030 Riyadh, the two-day meeting, organized in cooperation with the Export Promotion Center (CEPEX), aims to move beyond “symbolic participation” and turn such platforms into tools for African integration and competitiveness.
“The issue goes beyond participation alone: it is about sustainably strengthening the capacity of African countries to act on major international economic platforms,” Abid said, reaffirming Tunisia’s commitment to a more integrated Africa.
For his part, BIE Secretary General Dimitri S. Kerkentzes highlighted the symbolic significance of holding the session in Tunis, noting that Tunisia’s ties to international exhibitions date back to the first World Expo in 1851.
“These gatherings provide concrete spaces for nations to express their identity and build collective responses to global challenges,” he said.
Meanwhile, CEPEX CEO Mourad Ben Hassine emphasized his organization’s operational role in pavilion management, logistics and post-event follow-up. He described the program as a “strategic opportunity enabling national teams to better master the requirements of upcoming exhibitions and ultimately encourage the emergence of African bids to host future world-class events.”
The program continues through thematic workshops led by BIE experts focusing on pavilion design, institutional communication strategies, visitor experience and logistical coordination.
In addition to Tunisia, represented by a delegation of around ten officials, ten other African BIE member states are participating in the session: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Togo and Guinea.
The meeting follows the first African session held in Libreville in February 2024, during which Tunisia put forward key recommendations on technical support and anticipation of operational timelines.
Tunisia, the first Arab and African country to join the BIE Executive Committee in Paris, has maintained continuous representation there since 1995 through the CEO of CEPEX. Founded in 1928, the BIE now brings together 184 member states and regulates World and International Expositions.
