Baye Cheikh Diop, promoter of the fair installed at the foot of the monument, discusses the objective of this initiative. “We have noticed that the commerce sector is experiencing difficulties, especially for small sellers. Large traders have no problems, unlike those who are starting out, such as street vendors, who have difficulty selling their products. This is what pushed us to initiate this project at the foot of the Renaissance Monument, in order to allow these sellers to take advantage of the reputation of the place to sell their products without being bothered by municipalities or state services.».
This fair, from January 5 to 20, is intended to be a space of opportunities for small traders, often faced with obstacles in traditional circuits.
Opportunities for exhibitors
For traders, exhibiting their products in this unique setting is an opportunity. Mouhamed Moustapha Lô, scent seller, and Ibrahima Dièye, artisan, testify to the positive impact of this initiative on their activities.
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«The Renaissance Monument attracts thousands of people and these are all potential customers for us. Many visitors do not initially intend to buy, but upon discovering our stands, they end up being tempted and take something”before adding “Almost all the products exhibited here are made in Senegal, by Senegalese people. We highlight artisanal products to promote our country and offer souvenirs to visitors. The choice of setting up our fair at the Renaissance Monument gives us wider visibility.”
For Baye Cheikh Diop, this fair is part of a universal logic according to which monuments play a key role in local economic development. “The Renaissance Monument attracts an impressive number of visitors, including foreigners. It is on the basis of this observation that we initiated this fair. It allows you to discover the local economy. I think this exists in many countries around the world: large monuments, beyond their cultural aspect, are also sources of the local economy. With our presence here, the Monument wins, and so do we.”
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At the foot of the African Renaissance Monument, the local economy finds a new dynamic. This project demonstrates that cultural heritage can also become economic wealth for those who know how to seize the opportunities.
Par Moustapha Cissé (Dakar, correspondence)
01/16/2025 at 2:50 p.m.
