GTCO expands Africa’s biggest food and beverage platform into the festive season with 213 Nigerian SMEs, street food, Christmas village and family fun

The maiden Holiday Edition of the GTCO Food & Drink Festival kicks off tomorrow in Lagos, as Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO Plc) extends Africa’s largest food and beverage platform into the Yuletide season.

The two-day festival holds December 20–21, 2025, at the GT Centre, Plot 1 Water Corporation Drive, Oniru, Lagos, running daily from 10:00am to 10:00pm. Entry is free and open to the public.

Positioned to tap into one of the year’s most commercially active periods, the Holiday Edition blends culinary excellence, festive entertainment and enterprise development, while sustaining the festival’s core mission of supporting Nigerian food entrepreneurs.

This year’s edition features 213 Nigerian-owned food and beverage businesses, selected from over 4,000 applications nationwide, reinforcing the Festival’s growing status as a credible commercial platform for SMEs and a key contributor to Nigeria’s creative economy.

Visitors can expect a rich culinary spread—from traditional Nigerian favourites to contemporary street food, artisanal drinks and modern fusion cuisine. Vendors on the lineup include MelonyPine, Firewood Jollof Nigeria, Dundu Nation, Polo Club Suya, Thugg Burgers, Pizzawheels, Chow Noodle Bar, Jazzy’s Burger, 247 Drinks and 247 Cocktails, The Coconut Lady, Pancakes & Co., Butterfly Bakery, Amala Place Canteen, Nonos Catering, Sooyah Bistro and Mmaabacha, among others—showcasing the depth and commercial potential of Nigeria’s food ecosystem.

Unlike previous editions, the Holiday Edition is deliberately festive-led, with reduced instructional programming. Highlights include a Christmas Village stocked with curated gift items and seasonal treats, an expanded Street Food Hub celebrating Nigeria’s street food culture, a Children’s Play Zone for families, and continuous live DJ entertainment across both days.

Speaking on the initiative, GTCO Group Chief Executive Officer, Segun Agbaje, said the Festival remains a powerful vehicle for enterprise development while fostering shared cultural experiences. He noted that the Holiday Edition allows GTCO to deepen its impact by supporting food entrepreneurs during a peak sales period, while offering families a premium yet accessible festive destination.

In line with its commitment to inclusive growth, GTCO has retained its zero-cost participation model for vendors, ensuring small and medium-sized businesses benefit from visibility, customer engagement and revenue opportunities without financial barriers.

As Lagos enters full holiday mode, the GTCO Food & Drink Festival – Holiday Edition stands at the intersection of commerce, culture and celebration, reinforcing GTCO’s role as a catalyst for enterprise growth and community connection.

About GTCO Plc

Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO Plc) is a leading African financial services group with interests across banking, payments, asset management and pension management. Through flagship initiatives such as the GTCO Food & Drink Festival, the Group continues to promote enterprise development, celebrate African creativity and deliver shared value across communities.