Africa—through its social movements and civil society—joyfully welcomes the return of the World Social Forum to Benin. This 17th edition of the World Social Forum on the continent is neither a coincidence nor merely a matter of geographic rotation. It reflects a strategic understanding of the dynamics of struggle, resistance, and alternative proposals put forward by African communities.
West Africa—and specifically Benin, the host of the WSF—is a region where populations frequently confront challenges such as land grabbing, the impacts of climate change, the exploitation of mineral resources and the extraction of oil and gas, armed and unarmed conflicts, and externally imposed reforms. In response, these communities have found solutions rooted in local knowledge, communal solidarity, and the defense of the collective right to natural resources.
Why Benin?
Benin was chosen to host the 2026 World Social Forum on behalf of the entire African continent. The country stands out for its glorious history as the territory of the former Kingdom of Dahomey—cradle of the Amazons and a site of painful memories linked to the slave trade—as well as for its contemporary vitality. It also lies at the crossroads of Vodun spirituality and Pan-African culture; today, it serves as a place of return and reconnection for people of African descent seeking historical justice and the reclamation of their identity. The World Social Forum to be held in Benin is the fifth WSF hosted by the African continent, following events in Bamako, Mali (2006); Nairobi, Kenya (2007); Dakar, Senegal (2011); and Tunis, Tunisia (2013 and 2015).
The mobilization that made it possible
This choice was made possible thanks to the Global Convergence of Land and Water Struggles – West Africa (CGLTE-OA), which played a catalytic role in the process by submitting the continent’s bid to the World Social Forum International Council. This bid was further bolstered by the strong mobilization of Beninese civil society, working in close cooperation with African platforms, international networks, and social movements across five continents.
This commitment has also been acknowledged by the Beninese government, which has expressed its willingness to support the organization of this major global event.
Participation is expected from social and grassroots movements from around the world, as well as civil society organizations, trade unions, and cultural movements.
Italian social movements, associations, NGOs, and civil society have always played a significant role in exchange and cooperation with Africa. In this context, the “Mattei Plan”—launched by the Italian government—is a key subject of debate; according to many Italian and African NGOs, it does not appear to offer genuine support for African livelihoods and economies, but rather functions primarily as a financial and business-oriented project with little real impact on African civil society.
Several caravans will arrive in Cotonou, traveling across various African countries.
Land, Water, and Peasant Seeds: Same Harms, Same Struggle!
The Global Convergence of Struggles for Land and Water – West Africa (CGLE-OA) is dedicated to community mobilization in defense of community rights. For the fifth consecutive time, it is organizing the West Africa Caravan, taking place from July 19 to August 9, 2026.
Convinced that these struggles can only yield concrete results through the mobilization of communities around rights to land, water, traditional seeds, and all natural resources and common goods, organizations, movements, and human rights defenders keep their fighting spirit alive.
This year, the Caravan aims to strengthen African communities in their fight for equitable and sustainable access to natural resources, ensure massive participation in the 2026 World Social Forum in Cotonou, and share experiences from the West Africa Caravan’s ten-year history—a true model of grassroots mobilization and civic and activist education.
This fifth edition comprises two routes:
The Sahel route (Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger), which begins in Senegal, passes through Mali, Burkina Faso, and Togo, and concludes in Cotonou, Benin. The coastal axis (Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo) starts in Guinea and passes through Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo, where it will join the Sahelian axis to travel together toward Cotonou.
A new feature of this edition is that, upon arrival, it will be joined by the Central Africa caravan (Gabon, Central African Republic, DRC, Congo, Cameroon, Chad), which will travel from Cameroon to Cotonou via Nigeria. These two caravans of social movements will be welcomed by the national caravan of Benin.
With the participation of delegations from North Africa, the 2026 West Africa Caravan is part of the social mobilization effort for the 17th World Social Forum, scheduled to take place in Benin, Africa, from August 4 to 8, 2026—hence the name “On the Road to WSF Cotonou 2026.”
This edition marks the 10th anniversary of the West Africa Caravan and has a dual purpose: to root local resistance movements within a process of continental transformation and to amplify their impact through an active presence at WSF Cotonou 2026, acting as a driving force for this edition of the Forum.
Consequently, this edition aims to continue strengthening local struggles and citizen-led innovations regarding alternatives to the pressure on natural resources, while also supporting the creation of bridges for dialogue among local authorities, communities, researchers, and policymakers to develop local and regional responses tailored to current challenges.
THE NUMBERS:
A 22-day journey.
10 countries traversed across West and Central Africa.
18 activity stops.
Over 500 participants.
Over 20,000 people involved.
Massa KONE / Spokesperson for CGLTE-OA
For this reason, we are issuing an invitation to participate in the upcoming World Social Forum, to be held in Cotonou, Benin, from August 4 to 8, 2026.
The return of the World Social Forum to Africa is no coincidence. It is the result of an unrelenting struggle by the peoples of West Africa—and indeed all of Africa—for land, water, and justice. Benin was chosen because it embodies the evidence of these struggles. In August 2026, Cotonou will be the crossroads where people from all over the world gather to demonstrate that another world is not only possible but necessary. And that we can build it only together, through concrete actions.
Bertrand YEHOUENOU / Technical Organizing Secretary (TOS) for WSF Cotonou 2026
Organization of the 2026 World Social Forum is proceeding at a rapid pace. Registration is open, themes have been defined, and national mobilization is underway with our volunteer envoys being deployed across Benin. We are doing everything possible to offer the world a historic World Social Forum, worthy of Africa and Benin. A World Social Forum that will be a constructive force, not one of opposition.
AKPA-N’KAKOU Estelle / Assistant to the Technical Organizing Secretariat
Every day, we receive expressions of interest and enthusiasm from all five continents regarding WSF Cotonou 2026. This is proof that Africa is ready and the world is ready. Whether you are activists, organizations, or simply engaged citizens—men, women, young people, or persons with disabilities—you belong here with us in Cotonou in August 2026. Activists from Africa and across the globe, join us!
For further information, please visit www.fsm2026benin.org or contact us at infosfsmcotonou2026@gmail.com.
We are therefore issuing a call for participation in the upcoming World Social Forum, to be held in Cotonou, Benin, from August 4 to 8, 2026.
Cotonou 2026 World Social Forum Organizing Committee
Email: infosfsmcotonou2026@gmail.com | Phone: +229 01 66 66 66 92