2024 Lagos International Trade Fair (Nigeria) Report
I visited the 2024 Lagos International Trade Fair (Nigeria) and would like to share my report with you.
The Lagos International Trade Fair is Nigeria's largest comprehensive trade fair, attracting companies from a wide range of industries and held annually with the aim of promoting business networking, developing new markets, and promoting economic growth. Many Japanese companies (around 30 in 2024) participated through the Japan Pavilion, working to expand into the local market and increase brand awareness.
Event Overview
Lagos International Trade Fair
- Dates: Friday , November 1st to Sunday, November 10th, 2024 (10 days, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM)
- Venue: Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, Nigeria
- Organized by: Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI)
- Exhibitors: Over 3,500 companies from over 15 countries
- Exhibit contents and target fields: As a comprehensive trade fair, it covers a wide range of fields, including agriculture, construction, equipment, oil and gas, mining and energy, automobiles, communications, information processing, printing, security, banking, personal care, furniture, fashion and textiles, and food and beverages. A wide range of companies, from small and medium-sized enterprises to large corporations, exhibit at the fair, making it a place for business matching and networking between local and overseas companies.
Impressions of the venue
The first thing that struck me about the venue was how spacious it was!
The venue covers an area of 14.5 hectares (according to Wikipedia), which is approximately three times the size of the Tokyo Dome .
Most exhibitors set up tents outdoors, with some also set up indoor tents, such as the Japan Pavilion , which was air-conditioned and very cool, a real oasis in the 30+ degree weather.
There were many visitors and it seemed very lively. It is primarily aimed at business people, but there were also students on field trips, so it seemed like it was open to a wide range of people, not just business people.
Exhibition Features
Exhibitors were also able to sell goods, including electrical appliances, miscellaneous goods, perfumes, furniture, bedding, and clothing, creating a market-like atmosphere with many people making purchases.
The Japan Pavilion also sold seasonings and other products, but it seemed that the main purpose was to negotiate with B2B customers rather than to make sales on the spot.
The indoor tent also had a zone for African fabrics from various countries, where a variety of fabrics were on sale, including Shweshwe from South Africa.
Japan Pavilion
Approximately 30 companies, ranging from large corporations such as Honda, Ajinomoto, and Dentsu to small and medium-sized enterprises, exhibited at the Japan Pavilion.
Large companies employed local staff, and some booths had no Japanese staff, while others had only their own staff giving explanations.
Although English is necessary for communication, there are JETRO representatives on-site at all times, creating an environment where exhibitors can exhibit with peace of mind. The staff were very gentle and explained things to us in detail.
Number of visitors and reactions
The actual number of visitors is unclear, but according to JETRO, the total number of visitors in 2023 was 83,613, of which 52,700 visited the Japan Pavilion. It is estimated that the number in 2024 will be around the same.
I visited the booth of the TAIYO Foundation, which provides purified water, and many Nigerians stopped to look at it with interest. It seems that Nigerians are also interested in Japanese products.
There are many Japanese cars on the streets, and I hear people everywhere say, "I choose Japanese cars because they're high quality, sturdy, and have a wide range of parts available." I think this is contributing to improving the reputation of Japanese products as a whole.
Great food options
Food and drink booths were lined up next to the tents, and the food alone was enjoyable enough, with stalls stretching for about 100 meters, selling dishes such as grilled local plantains and suya (grilled chicken) made with plenty of spices. I also sampled a variety of dishes.
What surprised me was that there was a Burger King in Nigeria. I ordered one as a palate cleanser for my stomach, which had been tired from the spices, and it certainly didn't disappoint - it was a universally delicious dish.
summary
This event will be enjoyable not only for those hoping to exhibit in business, but also for those who live nearby. I believe it will be a very useful opportunity to deepen understanding of the Nigerian market and build business relationships with local companies.
