GTCO Food & Drink Festival Expands Access for Small Food Businesses, Promotes Inclusion

GTCO Food & Drink Festival Expands Access for Small Food Businesses, Promotes Inclusion

The GTCO Food & Drink Festival Holiday Edition has once again reinforced its reputation as one of Nigeria’s most inclusive platforms for small and medium-scale food businesses, providing vendors with zero-cost access to a high-impact marketplace in Lagos.

On the opening day of the Festival, small food entrepreneurs reported strong visibility, smooth operations, and meaningful customer engagement, describing the event as a rare opportunity to grow their brands without the financial pressure often associated with large commercial food exhibitions.

With 213 Nigerian-owned food and beverage businesses selected from over 4,000 applications nationwide, the Festival’s model prioritises access and inclusion, ensuring that emerging and small-scale vendors can participate regardless of financial capacity. By removing participation fees, organisers allow vendors to focus entirely on sales, branding, and customer relationships.

Returning vendors say the consistency of the Festival has helped them build trust and long-term business growth. Ebere Stephen, popularly known as Boli Bazaar, said her continued participation since around 2019 reflects the organisers’ commitment to supporting grassroots food businesses. According to her, steady customer turnout year after year has helped her traditional roasted plantain business gain loyal patrons and wider recognition.

First-time vendors also highlighted the importance of access. Macelina Otii of Iyaloja Direct said the Festival provided immediate brand exposure, allowing her foodstuff business to connect directly with customers beyond online platforms. She noted that interactions on Day 1 had already increased awareness of her brand and positioned her for sustained engagement in the days ahead.

Beyond physical access, vendors praised the availability of reliable payment infrastructure at the venue. Seamless GTBank PoS services ensured fast, error-free transactions, reducing queues and enhancing customer confidence—an essential factor for small businesses operating in high-volume environments.

As the Festival continues, vendors say the inclusive structure not only boosts short-term sales but also creates long-lasting opportunities through repeat customers and broader market access, reinforcing GTCO’s role in empowering Nigeria’s SME ecosystem.