RECAP: GTCO Food & Drink Holiday Edition Debuts in Lagos, Empowering SMEs and Celebrating Culinary Culture

Event Overview

• Dates & Venue: Held on December 20–21, 2025 at the GT Centre, Oniru, Lagos.

• Organizers: Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), expanding its flagship festival into a holiday-themed edition for the first time.

• Scale: Over 200 vendors participated, showcasing indigenous foods, agro products, and beverages.

Key Highlights

• Family Centric Programming: Unlike previous editions that emphasized chef masterclasses, this holiday edition prioritized inclusive attractions from immersive entertainment to kid-friendly activities making it a true family outing.

• Marketplace Expansion: The festival created a high-traffic retail environment for SMEs, offering them direct access to thousands of consumers. Vendors reported strong engagement despite broader macroeconomic pressures.

• Cultural Celebration: The event blended local culinary traditions with global food trends, reinforcing GTCO’s commitment to cultural promotion and community bonding.

  

• Economic Empowerment: Positioned as a platform for market access, the festival gave small businesses visibility and opportunities to scale.

Atmosphere & Reception

• Consumer Sentiment: Feedback from attendees highlighted high enthusiasm, with many praising the festival’s festive ambience and diverse food offerings.

• Entertainment: Live performances, interactive games, and holiday-themed décor created a cheerful, celebratory mood, aligning with the season’s spirit.

• Strategic Expansion: Industry observers noted that the holiday edition represents GTCO’s effort to broaden its retail footprint and strengthen ties with consumers beyond banking.

Significance

• Africa’s Largest Food Festival: Already regarded as the continent’s biggest food and drink showcase, the holiday edition reinforced GTCO’s leadership in lifestyle-driven brand engagement.

• Community Impact: By spotlighting local producers and artisans, the festival contributed to economic resilience and cultural pride.

• Future Outlook: The success of this maiden holiday edition suggests it may become a recurring fixture in Nigeria’s festive calendar.