Ouagadougou: The 2nd edition of the Pan-African Seniors Fair (SPA) commenced this Thursday in Ouagadougou, focusing on the welfare of the elderly through a 72-hour event themed “Succeeding in senior life in a world full of innovations: Challenges and opportunities.” The fair aims to promote the inclusion of seniors and offer them a platform for sharing experiences and accessing tailored services for their physical, emotional, economic, and social well-being, as stated by promoter Kindo/Zetiyenga Yacine.
According to Burkina Information Agency, technological, medical, and social innovations are reshaping lives globally, posing a dual challenge for seniors. These changes necessitate constant adaptation to avoid digital and social exclusion but also present opportunities for improved access to healthcare, home care, and senior entrepreneurship. Kindo/Zetiyenga Yacine highlighted that these innovations could enhance the role of seniors in knowledge transmission and intergenerational solidarity.
“This fair is much more than an intellectual gathering: it is a call to action, to intergenerational solidarity and to the mobilization of all forces,” Kindo/Zetiyenga Yacine emphasized. The aim is to equip seniors with the necessary tools to remain active participants in their lives amidst ongoing changes. She also noted the successes from the previous edition, such as the creation of the Djigue Balo Fish Farming Cooperative and the provision of free ophthalmological consultations and asset management training.
The fair will also feature the launch of a literary work by the National Association of Retirees of Burkina Faso, titled “How to prepare for and enjoy your retirement,” during the event scheduled from October 2 to 4, 2025, at FESPACO.
The opening ceremony was graced by Commander Passorwende Pelagie Kabore, the Minister of Humanitarian Action and National Solidarity, and the Director General of Solidarity, Isaie Foro. Mr. Foro praised the fair as a beneficial initiative that advances the protection and promotion of older people’s rights and encourages socio-economic and digital inclusion amid challenges of food, health, and transportation, as well as social and digital isolation.