By: Theresa Moses
Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO Plc) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Africa’s creative economy and accelerating the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with the announcement of the 2025 GTCO Food & Drink Festival – Holiday Edition. The announcement was made during a press conference held on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at the GTCO Head Office in Victoria Island, Lagos.
The maiden Holiday Edition scheduled for December 20 and 21, 2025, at the GT Centre in Oniru, Lagos marks a new chapter for Africa’s largest food and beverage exhibition. Designed as an end-of-year celebration, it will blend culinary showcases, family-friendly holiday experiences, and enterprise-focused opportunities targeting hundreds of small businesses.
According to the Group Chief Executive Officer of GTCO Plc, Segun Agbaje, described the festival as a powerful platform that aligns with the Group’s mission to fuel enterprise, promote African creativity, and connect communities through meaningful lifestyle experiences.
“The GTCO Food & Drink Festival has grown into a powerful platform for celebrating enterprise, creativity, and the richness of African cuisine.
The Holiday Edition reflects our commitment to creating joyful shared experiences while supporting SMEs across the food and beverage value chain,” Agbaje stated.
He emphasized that the end-of-year edition aims to welcome families, food lovers, tourists, designers, and culinary entrepreneurs from within and outside Nigeria.
GTCO’s 2025 Holiday Festival introduces expanded attractions designed to elevate visitor experience while amplifying SME visibility:
1. A Vibrant Christmas Village
A festive marketplace offering handcrafted gifts, artisanal products, holiday treats, and entertainment for all ages.
2. A Large, Immersive Children’s Play Arena
Packed with safe adventure zones, holiday-themed games, and curated performances—ensuring families enjoy a wholesome celebration.
3. Free Exhibition Stalls for Over 213 SMEs
For many small food and beverage businesses, visibility is a challenge. GTCO’s decision to provide free premium exhibition spaces offers entrepreneurs a rare opportunity to showcase products to thousands of visitors without financial barriers.
4. A Street food Hub
This hub places local street food vendors at the centre of the festival aligning with GTCO’s goal of uplifting grassroots culinary businesses.
5. High-Energy DJ Raves
Two of Nigeria’s biggest DJs will deliver pulsating music experiences to close each day on a vibrant note.
Since inception, the GTCO Food & Drink Festival has drawn hundreds of thousands of attendees annually and has grown into a continental reference point for culinary exhibitions. With global chefs, food experts, and creative entrepreneurs participating over the years, the festival continues to position Nigeria as a major hub for food innovation and culture.
The 2025 Holiday Edition will amplify this legacy with:
- More family-centered attractions
- Broader SME engagement
- Deeper tourism appeal
- Wider creative industry participation
GTCO’s integrated lifestyle strategy remains unmatched in the banking sector, merging financial innovation with community-focused experiences.
GTCO Plc reiterated that its investments in lifestyle events—including the Food & Drink Festival, Fashion Weekend, and other cultural showcases—are structured, long-term strategies to empower local businesses and deepen economic participation.
From free stalls to global-scale visibility, these festivals create tangible opportunities for small entrepreneurs to scale their businesses and build sustainable customer bases.
“This festival is more than entertainment—it is enterprise development,”
Mr. Charles Eremi, Group corporate communication, noted during the conference.
“We are enabling SMEs to compete, grow, and tell their stories to the world.”
Target audiences for the Holiday Edition include:
- Families and children
- Food lovers and culinary explorers
SMEs, chefs, and beverage brands
- Young professionals and students
- Local and international tourists
- Influencers, lifestyle creators, and media
GTCO Plc anticipates record-breaking attendance as Lagos anticipates a premium, end-of-year cultural experience.
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