On Tuesday 11 February 2020, the first International Heritage Site for Art and Culture in Sub-Saharan Africa, the John Smith CCRI, was created in Ouidah, a city located 40 km west of the capital of Benin, Cotounou.
This launch is the culmination of a long work by Janvier Nougloï, a Beninese cultural professional and initiator of the project, and the support of the Ouidah Town Hall, owner of the former Colonial Court.