The 9th edition of the GTCO Food and Drink Festival is underway in Lagos, transforming GTCentre, Oniru, Victoria Island into Africa’s largest culinary marketplace from May 1 to May 3, 2026. Themed “Everything Food and Drink,” this year’s festival underscores the depth, diversity, and enterprise driving Nigeria’s food ecosystem.
Organized by Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, the free-entry event has grown from a seasonal celebration into a culturally significant platform where food meets storytelling, innovation, and opportunity. Over 204 free retail stalls are hosting small and medium-scale enterprises, with about 90% of selected vendors participating for the first time.
GTCO Group CEO Segun Agbaje described the festival as “a living expression of what we stand for as an institution: innovation, opportunity, and enterprise that is accessible to all”. By removing exhibition fees, GTCO aims to eliminate cost barriers for foodpreneurs, allowing them to focus on product quality, branding, and customer experience.
Running daily from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., the festival features a vibrant mix of traditional Nigerian dishes, street food, pastries, premium beverages, and global cuisines. Visitors are treated to interactive masterclasses, live culinary demonstrations, and food and wine tastings.
Day 1 masterclasses spotlighted both local and international talent: Dera Oluyede and Kemi Anazodo on baking cinnamon rolls and chocolate chip cookies, Thailand’s Dylan Eitharong on Thai techniques, Spain’s Begoña Rodrigo on Mediterranean cuisine, and Italy’s Paolo Griffa on Italian cooking.
This year, GTCO is pushing enterprise support further. Chief Communication Officer Oyinade Adegite noted that vendors using GTCO POS terminals can access merchant loans of up to N30 million, extending support beyond the three-day event. The festival also maintains its family-friendly reputation with a well-equipped play area and activities for children.
Since inception, the festival has evolved into a business growth engine for emerging food entrepreneurs, offering brand exposure, customer feedback, and market access that many SMEs struggle to achieve through traditional channels. With over 6,000 vendor applications this year, the 204 selected stalls represent a competitive push to spotlight new businesses.
The GTCO Food and Drink Festival continues through Sunday, May 3, at GTCentre, Plot 1 Water Corporation Drive, Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos. Attendance remains free.
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