Benin - Japan/Benin National Day at Expo Osaka 2025: immersion in a world of splendor
On August 29, 2025, Benin is set to celebrate its National Day at the Osaka 2025 World Expo, offering the international public a unique and immersive experience, combining heritage, creativity and future prospects. The celebration, which is part of the Expo's official calendar, illustrates Benin's determination to raise its profile on the world stage and assert itself as a dynamic player on the African continent.
The "Benin Horizons - A Journey of Culture and Opportunities" concept reflects a country in the throes of transformation, where heritage combines with innovation, and where international ambitions are nurtured by deep roots. This approach reflects Benin's vision of presenting a complete panorama of its identity, from the richness of its traditions to the modernity of its infrastructure and economic initiatives.
An invitation to travel
On August 29, Benin invites the world to enjoy an exceptional experience at the heart of Expo Osaka 2025. The National Day is not just a diplomatic symbol: it is a manifesto of creativity, cultural diplomacy and economic openness. Investors, decision-makers, creators, the media and the general public are invited to step through the doors of the Benin Pavilion to discover a World of Splendors.
- Heritage and culture: visual arts, performing arts and culinary arts
- Innovation and business opportunities: economic reforms, strategic sectors, investment climate
- Commitment and sustainability: eco-responsible initiatives and structuring projects
From the historic heart of Porto-Novo, the capital with three names and many faces, soon to be enriched by its future International Vodun Museum, to the historic beaches of Ouidah and its ambitious Sèmè City project, from the majestic royal palaces ofAbomey to the Tata Somba of the North, via the natural treasures of the Pendjari and the vibrant markets of Cotonou, Benin reveals itself as a living mosaic where heritage, innovation and nature intertwine to offer visitors an experience that is both authentic and visionary.
Babalola Jean-Michel H. ABIMBOLA, Benin's Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, declares:
"National Day offers Benin an exceptional platform to assert its influence. By celebrating our presence in Japan, we open a window on our heritage, our creativity and our vision, while affirming our place on the international stage. We invite the whole world to explore the many facets of our country, and to nourish the irresistible desire to set foot on its soil. "
Yannis ADEBIAYE, General Curator of theBenin 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 Splendors is becoming day by day an unmissable destination to discover. "
The official program around Benin National Day: Benin Week in Osaka - Expo 2025 (August 28 to 31, 2025) Thursday, August 28, 2025 - Economic Day (2:00 pm - 6:30 pm) Choose Benin Investment Forum - Higashi-Osaka City Hall
- Official welcome by the Embassy of Benin
- Speeches by the Mayor of Higashi-Osaka, APIEX, SIPI, ALZ
- Thematic panels (investment, agribusiness, logistics)
- Testimonials 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 the Benin-Japan friendship. The program, in partnership with ADAC, will showcase the excellence and diversity of Beninese talent on the international stage.
ND Hall & Guest House - Expo Site 10:30am - 3:15pm (JST)
- 10:30 am: Welcome of guests
- 11h00 : Official speeches & anthems (15 min)
- 11:15am: Artistic performances (45 min) - Les Pépit'Arts, Chudo Saito, Couleur Indigo / Pépé Oleka
- 12:15pm : Official lunch at the Guest House
- 1:45pm : Official visits to the Benin and Japan Pavilions
Official reception (6:00 pm - 8:00 pm) - by invitation only
- Cocktails, speeches and fusion buffet
- Artistic performances and exchanges
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
- Couleur Indigo / Pépé Oleka fashion show
Center Stage Commons B / Salle Commons A / Salle Panaf' 16h00 - 17h00 (JST)
- Immersive Keynote " Benin, World of Wonders
- Focus: destination Benin, pineapple Sugarloaf, cashew nuts
Center Stage Commons B 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm (JST)
- Showcase Les Pépit'Arts & Chudo Saito
- Couleur Indigo / Pépé Oleka fashion show
Sunday August 31, 2025 - Creative & Design Day
Know-how, fashion and innovation
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 Osaka World Expo 2025
Supported by the Benin Tourism Agency, Benin's participation in the Osaka 2025 World Expo is designed to immerse visitors in the country's cultural, historical and economic wealth. The pavilion, designed under the concept "Benin Horizons: A Journey of Culture and Opportunities", will offer visitors an interactive experience, enabling them to discover the many facets of Benin, a country that combines ancestral traditions and modernity. The pavilion will showcase Benin's dynamism in three key areas: tourism, culture and the arts, innovation and economic development.
About Osaka World Expo 2025
The Osaka World Expo 2025, to be held from April 13 to October 13, 2025 on the island of Yumeshima, Japan, will be a must-see event on a global scale. Bringing together more than 160 countries, and expected by some 28 million visitors, this exhibition will offer an exceptional platform for exploring innovative solutions to today's global challenges. The central theme of the Expo, "Designing the society of the future, imagining our life of tomorrow", invites participants to reflect together on how to build a more sustainable, equitable and planet-friendly future.
Source: www.gouv.bj/
