By Kingsley Adegboye

Over 350 international brands across packaged foods, confectionery, beverages, alcohol, dairy and equipment all under one roof, are currently exploring business opportunities and looking for their next African distribution partners at the ongoing Food and Beverage West Africa Exhibition at Landmark Events Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Specifically, the three-day annual exhibition enables participants to expand their product range, secure exclusive agreements, build supplier relationships that transform their businesses thereby making more money eventually. This year’s edition attracted 60 countries across the globe.

Speaking on the 2026 edition, Mr. Elliot Drury who is the Exhibition Manager, “We have got over 350 different exhibitors. We have got around 60 different countries here being represented as well. It is the biggest edition that we have ever done. And obviously we have just opened up the Hall 5 as well. Hall 5 is sold out. It is a sold out show.

According to him, “So, next year, we can expect Hall 6. Next year we can expect even bigger customised stands than what we have this year. And yeah, even more exhibitors, more countries being represented. So it is the biggest one that we have ever done. Making it the largest exhibition in Africa in terms of food and beverages industry.

“Everybody is open to the type of conversations at the end of the day. We have so many importers from here, from across the world. So many importers from so many countries, adding that there is the possibility of some of the exhibitors manufacturing some of their products in Nigeria.

“I would like to see more of it. I would love to see more local manufacturers being opened up and contributing towards that. There is a lot of obviously finished products coming here as part of the show. But there is also a lot of companies that are looking for manufacturers specifically to help with the product production. So if there could be more created, then that is going to help with the growth trajectory of the market massively. But that is not to say that it does not exist.

“There are so many different exhibitors here that are manufacturers. I am being asked by exhibitors saying like who can I go and speak to, to help me with this production or that production. So it is not just distribution, it is manufacturing that they are looking for as well,” he said.

Another exhibitor, Mr. Japhet Adianawo, who is Service Partner, BCE Food Service Equipment Nigeria, who noted that “We are one of the biggest suppliers of catering equipment in the hospitality sector. And we supply hotels, restaurants, fast food and events. Our equipment is all industrial, no domestic units. So we’ve been in Nigeria for about 11 years now. So we’re stationed here, our offices are in Mushin. And our showroom is in Mushin. So we’re here. All these are from South Africa.

“And we have our own factories, we have about eight factories in South Africa. Our holding company is Universal Holdings. So they’re the ones that are the father of, the catering industry. So that’s where we get all our stock from.”

On his thoughts on the West African market, he said; “Well, you know what, at the moment now, it’s always erratic, it’s up and down. But the market is good. “But, you know, there’s pros and cons to the market. You guys know that. When the election is on, then everything goes quiet. Then after the election, everything picks up. So we go with the flow, you know what I mean? And we are here, we’re on ground. So, a lot of companies know us.

“We work with local, we work with our imports. Most of our fabrications are done outside the country because we don’t have the capacity or, you know, capabilities here. But we also support a lot of local, like, small businesses that are coming up. So we try and incorporate them into our business,” he said.

On the possibility of having a plant in Nigeria to do some of the productions, he said; “We’ve been looking at it for a while now, but it’s a lot of money to invest to open a factory because the equipment that you use is huge. The cutting of steel, most of it is steel, you know what I mean? So, it’s big.

Another participant, Mr. Daan Busscher, the Managing Partner, Export Partner of The Netherlands, said they are first timers at the exhibition, commending the experience.

“It’s the first time we have come to this exhibition. But we do about 30 food exhibitions every year all around the world. So, I just came back from an event in Bangkok. But it’s the first time that we are here in Nigeria to bring in Dutch food companies.

“And there are a lot of food companies already interested in the market. Some do already sales and export in Nigeria and West Africa. But it’s for us a great opportunity to meet more people that are actually able to bring in your products to the West African market.

“Like I said, it’s the first time and definitely we’re hoping to be back next year and many more years and growing the pavilion. So, there are, like I said, a lot of Dutch companies interested in this market. We are here now with only five companies.

“But it’s a great start, of course, to build on in the upcoming years. And we’ll definitely be back next year.”

Also, Gbemi Ogunkeye of Marketing Lead for Kerry Greater Africa based in Kenya, said “We have eight factories across Africa, one of which is in Nigeria. So, we have an office here with three labs. A beverage lab, a bakery lab and a savoury lab.

“Kerry is a manufacturer of ingredients, make ingredients for food and beverages. So, everything from ingredients for soft drinks, for biscuits, for alcoholic beverages, for snacks, noodles, seasoning cubes, any manufactured food or beverage, anything that comes in a can, in a packet, in a box, in a tube, if it’s a food and beverage, we make the ingredients for it.

“We’ve seen huge growth, right? So, Nigeria is one of the biggest volumes. Oh, I think last year, Nigeria overtook South Africa as the biggest consumer of alcoholic beverages in Africa,” he noted.

Mr. Kapil Sewani, founder of Mannco LLP, India, said “We manufacture in India and we export all over the world. Africa is one of our big markets. And, of course, if it’s Africa, then Nigeria is the big daddy of all, So, we do good business in Nigeria. We already have distributors here. And we’ve been coming to this exhibition since it started.

“It’s been three consecutive years that we’ve been coming here. And we’re quite happy with it. We utilise this to showcase our brand and to help our distributors and to support our distributors to sell in the market,” he said.

For Piotr Kondraciuk, the Director of Export Supply Department, KOWR National Support Centre for Agriculture, Poland, they are out to showcase what many may not know of their country.

“You probably are not aware that Poland is an exporting country in case of food. We are producing 30 to 50 percent surpluses of different kinds of food in Poland,” he said.

“So, our institution is helping Polish companies to be present at different markets and to sell products abroad. But on the other hand, Polish companies are also buying raw materials to be processed in Poland. For example, we are a big seller of chocolate.

“But in fact, we are not growing cocoa at all. We are a big exporter of coffee, tea, especially instant coffee. But of course, we are not growing those products in Poland.

“But we are selling them. And in fact, you can find Polish food almost in every country in the world, also in Nigeria. Starting from sweets.”

On their target at the exhibition, he noted; “In fact, we are the rather first steps here in Nigeria and in West Africa in general.

“So, now we are focusing rather on, I can say, direct B2B contact. Some of our companies think about producing products with the brands of the local markets. Because we are aware that Poland apart from Lewandowski is not well known here in Nigeria,” he noted