This celebration, inscribed in the official Expo calendar, reflects Benin’s determination to strengthen its global visibility and assert itself as a dynamic player on the African continent.
On August 29, 2025, Benin will celebrate its National Day at Expo 2025 Osaka, offering the international public a unique and immersive experience that combines heritage, creativity, and future prospects. This celebration, part of the official Expo program, demonstrates Benin’s ambition to enhance its presence on the world stage and affirm its role as a forward-looking African nation.
The concept “Benin Horizons – A Journey of Culture and Opportunities” embodies a country in transformation, where heritage and innovation converge, and where international ambitions are rooted in deep cultural identity. It reflects Benin’s vision of presenting a comprehensive panorama of its identity, spanning from the richness of its traditions to the modernity of its infrastructures and economic initiatives.
An Invitation to Travel
On August 29, Benin invites the world to live an exceptional experience at the heart of Expo 2025 Osaka. National Day is not merely a diplomatic symbol; it is a manifesto of creativity, cultural diplomacy, and economic openness. Investors, decision-makers, creators, media, and the general public are invited to step into the Benin Pavilion and discover a World of Splendor.
- Heritage and culture: visual arts, performing arts, and culinary arts
- Innovation and business opportunities: economic reforms, strategic sectors, and a favorable investment climate
- Commitment and sustainability: eco-friendly initiatives and structural projects
From the historic heart of Porto-Novo—the “city of three names” soon to be enriched by its future International Museum of Vodun—to the history-filled beaches of Ouidah and its ambitious Sèmè City project, from the majestic royal palaces of Abomey to the Tata Somba houses of the north, from the natural wonders of Pendjari to the vibrant markets of Cotonou, Benin reveals itself as a living mosaic where heritage, innovation, and nature intertwine to offer visitors an experience both authentic and forward-looking.
Babalola Jean-Michel H. ABIMBOLA, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts of Benin, states:
“National Day offers Benin an exceptional platform to showcase its influence. By celebrating our presence in Japan, we open a window onto our heritage, our creativity, and our vision, while affirming our place on the international stage. We invite the world to explore the many facets of our country and spark an irresistible desire to walk its land.”
Yannis ADEBIAYE, Commissioner General of the Benin Pavilion, adds:
“In Osaka, Benin presents itself on the international stage with authenticity and ambition: this National Day is a strategic showcase that illustrates how this World of Splendor is becoming, day by day, an unmissable destination.”
Official Program for Benin’s National Day: Benin Week at Expo 2025 Osaka (August 28–31, 2025)
Thursday, August 28, 2025 – Economic Day (2:00 pm – 6:30 pm)
Choose Benin Investment Forum – Higashi-Osaka City Hall
- Official welcome and protocol by the Embassy of Benin
- Addresses by the Mayor of Higashi-Osaka, APIEX, SIPI, ALZ
- Thematic panels (investment, agro-industry, logistics)
- Testimonies from Japanese experts
- B2G sessions with Japanese companies
Friday, August 29 – Benin National Day
Diplomacy, culture, and celebration
A diplomatic, cultural, and artistic highlight, National Day celebrates Benin–Japan friendship. Its program, in partnership with ADAC, will showcase the excellence and diversity of Beninese talent to the world.
ND Hall & Guest House – Expo Site (10:30 am – 3:15 pm JST)
- 10:30 am: Guest reception
- 11:00 am: Official addresses & anthems (15 min)
- 11:15 am: Artistic performances (45 min) – Les Pépit’Arts, Chudo Saito, Couleur Indigo / Pépé Oleka
- 12:15 pm: Official luncheon at the Guest House
- 1:45 pm: Official visits to the Benin and Japan Pavilions
Official Reception (6:00 pm – 8:00 pm) – By Invitation Only
- Cocktail, speeches, and fusion buffet
- Artistic performances and networking
Saturday, August 30 – Artistic & Immersive Day
Pop-up Stage West or North (1:00 pm – 2:00 pm JST)
- Showcase: Les Pépit’Arts & Chudo Saito
- Fashion Show: Couleur Indigo / Pépé Oleka
Center Stage Commons B / Commons A / Panaf’ Hall (4:00 pm – 5:00 pm JST)
- Immersive keynote “Benin, World of Wonders”
- Focus: Benin as a destination, Pineapple “Pain de Sucre,” cashew nuts
Center Stage Commons B (6:00 pm – 7:00 pm JST)
- Showcase: Les Pépit’Arts & Chudo Saito
- Fashion Show: Couleur Indigo / Pépé Oleka
Sunday, August 31, 2025 – Creative & Design Day
Center Stage Commons B (1:00 pm – 3:00 pm JST)
- Performance by Larry Tchogninou (design, body art, identity)
Benin Pavilion Showroom (3:30 pm – 5:30 pm JST)
- Performance by King Houndekpinkou (ceramics, spirituality, contemporary aesthetics)
Center Stage Commons B (TBC, 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm JST)
- Showcase: Rosyne Club (textile art, movement, light)
About the Benin Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka
Led by Agence Bénin Tourisme, Benin’s participation in Expo 2025 Osaka is designed as an immersive journey into the country’s cultural, historical, and economic wealth. Under the concept “Benin Horizons: A Journey of Culture and Opportunities”, the pavilion will offer visitors an interactive experience that reveals the many facets of Benin—a country where ancestral traditions meet modernity.
The pavilion will highlight Benin’s dynamism through three main pillars:
- Showcasing its tourism, cultural, and artistic assets
- Promoting innovation and economic development
- Fostering sustainability and international cooperation
About Expo 2025 Osaka
Expo 2025 Osaka will take place from April 13 to October 13, 2025, on Yumeshima Island, Japan. This world-class event will bring together over 160 countries and is expected to welcome nearly 28 million visitors. The Expo will serve as a global platform to explore innovative solutions to today’s challenges.
The central theme, “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” invites participants to collectively imagine how to build a more sustainable, fair, and respectful future for our planet.
