The Food and Beverage (FAB) West Africa show is commencing today and will conclude on June 15 at the Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. Jamie Hill interviewed Godstime Madojemu to discuss the event.

Godstime Madojemu, organizer of the Food and Beverage West Africa (FABWA) show, revealed exciting plans for this year’s event. FABWA is set to become Africa’s largest dedicated food and beverage trade show, with over 300 exhibitors from five continents participating. The exhibition will expand from two halls to an impressive four halls, making it Nigeria’s first-ever four hall exhibitions. Madojemu expressed gratitude to the Landmark Centre for accommodating their request for additional capacity by constructing the fourth hall within a short timeframe.

This year marks the fourth edition of FAB West Africa since its launch in 2018. Over the years, the exhibition has established itself as the premier gathering for the West African food and beverage industry, facilitating business interactions among industry professionals. The exhibition expects to welcome more than 5,000 trade professionals, including food professionals, enthusiasts, and investors. Attendance is free, but pre-registration is required at www.fab-westafrica.com/pre-register.

The upcoming exhibition will feature country pavilions from Indonesia, Dubai, Russia, Egypt, Pakistan, Turkey, and Tunisia. These pavilions, organized by government bodies, demonstrate the growing interest of international businesses in the Nigerian and wider West African markets.

Madojemu emphasizes that the FABWA show is a must-attend event for anyone looking to expand their food and beverage business, seek investment, establish a presence in the F&B industry, enhance manufacturing capabilities, or simply experience food samples from around the world.

Reflecting on the journey since its launch in 2018, Madojemu acknowledges the challenges faced, particularly the impact of the pandemic. However, he believes that challenges present opportunities for growth. Despite the initial difficulties, the exhibition persevered and successfully hosted the first international event post-pandemic in September 2021.

Remaining true to their principles, the organizers resisted the trend of virtual exhibitions and focused on in-person interactions, anticipating a resurgence in demand for face-to-face meetings. Madojemu is confident in the future of the exhibitions industry and looks forward to launching new events in 2024. He is also excited about the progress Nigeria will make under its new government.

Madojemu highlights the significant benefits the FABWA show brings to the West African food and beverage market, particularly Nigeria. The exhibition acts as a platform for manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and other industry stakeholders to come together. It introduces new technologies that can improve manufacturing efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance competitiveness in the fast-paced F&B industry.

While some exhibitors aim to export their products to Nigeria, the focus of the exhibition is to showcase the benefits of expanding operations within Nigeria. By demonstrating the market opportunities, Madojemu believes that companies will be motivated to invest in Nigeria, leading to more cost-effective trade and manufacturing on Nigerian soil.

Madojemu asserts that Food and Beverage West Africa is raising awareness among international F&B companies about Nigeria’s potential and the opportunities the Nigerian market offers. Additionally, the show facilitates Government-to-Government (G2G) meetings, which have the potential to quickly impact the market through large-scale agreements between countries.

Looking ahead, Madojemu acknowledges the uncertainty of the future but expresses the desire for the exhibition to continue growing to meet the increasing demand for exhibition space and entry into the Nigerian market. He emphasizes the need for adequate exhibition facilities in Nigeria, as the country becomes an attractive destination for international exhibitions. Exhibitions have historically played a vital role in economic growth, and Madojemu believes they can have a positive impact on improving food availability, reducing food prices and inflation, and supporting Nigerian businesses.

In conclusion, the Food and Beverage West Africa show promises to be a significant event for the food and beverage industry in West Africa, attracting participants from around the world and providing opportunities for business expansion, investment, and collaboration.