Founded in December 2007 by the Moroccan visual artist Asmaa Benachir, Au Grain De Sésame is a gallery, literary cafe, and workshop space for ecological art practices in Rabat, Morocco.  It has always been a growing business preserving and promoting the local art and cultural heritage. It also empowers women through green artistic training.

In May 2016, Au Grain de Sésame launched the EcoBio Market, a monthly meeting point between ecological creators and organic producers; increasing by that the visibility of ecological and bio-local initiatives.

Currently, Au Grain Sesame is a partner of REVIS project of UNIDO, the United Nations Industrial Development. A project aimed at empowering artisans in the regions of Oriental and Taza in Morocco, which resulted on the launch of www.africanecobiomarket.com , a website aimed at being a reference platform of ecological creators and organic producers of the region.

Au Grain de Sésame contributes to raising awareness of environmental conservation, while encouraging the choice of eco-friendly purchasing.

It now possesses an arts and craft gallery, a multicultural café and a workshop to train women in vulnerable situations how to manufacture ecological products and produce handmade traditional craftsmanship using an innovative technique for recycling paper.

The multicultural literary café has a distinct personality to remember the local heritage of Rabat, welcoming progressive culture while nodding to the Moroccan heritage with art from local artists that celebrates local offerings.

The vibrant workshops are for beginners to visual and decorative arts.

The women of the Rabat-Salé Medina learn traditional craftsmanship and methods to produce beautiful, functional, and affordable creations on request, while tackling waste from every angle and using natural and waste materials. These products will be marketed locally in the showroom, online and through fair & ecological trade channels.

Au Grain de Sésame believes the development of human capital in the artistic field can make a vital contribution to improving socioeconomic conditions in a sustainable way. In fact, development in the artistic field encourages social inclusion and promotes cultural dialogue.

This is why women in vulnerable situations are now able to learn about the arts-and-crafts trade and sell their work through Au Grain de Sésame and eventually gain financial independence

Lately, Au Grain de Sésame has been asked to develop its training module in art and ecological design for artisans and craftsmen.

The first products developed from these courses will soon be presented on the website www.africainecobiomarket.com