Act 3 of the Brunch Ivoire, a cultural, culinary, festive and networking gathering for all lovers of Ivorian culture in Benin, took place on 8 November 2025 in Cotonou. It was highly symbolic for the Ivorian community residing in Benin, as well as for all admirers of Ivorian culture.

Brunch Ivoire is a get-together for all those who have a passion for African and Ivorian culture in Benin. On this occasion, Côte d’Ivoire ‘moves’ to Benin. For those wishing to visit or revisit Côte d’Ivoire, it is an absolute must. The 2025 edition of Brunch Ivoire took place in the gardens of the Atropkocodji Seminary on the outskirts of Cotonou.

A friendly and convivial event, it brought together all those with a love for Côte d’Ivoire and featured a variety of activities, including an Ivorian-style parade, a contest for the best eater and dancer, and many other entertainment activities. This cultural and festive gathering of Ivorians and Côte d’Ivoire enthusiasts in Benin was also attended by the Ivorian artist Pat Sacko from the group Espoir 2000.

Celebrating brotherhood between Beninese and Ivorian people!

At this event, it is not just Ivorian culture that is celebrated, but all of African culture.

The benevolence of the Ivorian people could be noticed. They are very welcoming people with an overflowing joy for life that spreads to everyone around them. They really know how to put on a show, as we say here,’ said Nasrine Salifou, a Beninese national, in an interview with Dialogue Migration.

For her, the added value of this event lies in the cultural exchange, which demonstrates that Beninese and Ivorians are one big family.

“Brunch Ivoire brings all communities together to celebrate Africa and forge bonds of friendship and brotherhood,” emphasises Nina Flore Blé Diomandé, the Ivorian event organiser who lives in Benin but is also active across the continent.

She explains that the event aims to bring people from across Benin together to celebrate African culture, with a particular focus on Ivorian culture. The idea is to present Côte d’Ivoire and all its cultural diversity, cuisine, vibe and music to the public. Attendees came from the Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Togo, Mali, Senegal and Europe.

Between cultural exchange and the discovery of sociocultural treasures

This event showcases Africa in all its diversity and reflects the strong presence and integration of the Ivorian community in Benin. In fact, an entire event has been dedicated to the colours of Houphouët-Boigny’s country.

“The beauty and cultural diversity of Africa, as well as the friendly atmosphere of Brunch Ivoire, encourage people to participate in this event,” says Diomandé.

Some participants hope that the event will become an annual tradition.

“I hope that this kind of event continues year after year, improving with time and allowing people to discover more about Côte d’Ivoire. And why not inspire other Beninese people to do the same in Côte d’Ivoire or other countries, to promote Benin and strengthen cohesion?” says Nasrine Salifou.

Participants say that the motivation behind such an event is that it enables Ivorians living in Benin to come together as a community and experience a day immersed in their traditions, as if they were back home in their own country. It also highlights their culture, traditional attires and customs.

“I hope that cultural exchange continues and that other communities follow suit. So why not have a Brunch for Cameroonians or events showcasing other communities in Benin?” Salifou suggests. 

By the end of the event, plans had already been made for the subsequent edition, which was set to be the biggest and best yet.

Benin is a welcoming country for West African nationals and promotes cultural exchange within the ECOWAS region. Ivorians in Benin are particularly active in commerce and business and they form associations to organise their community.