The 9th edition of the GTCO Food and Drink Festival returns to Lagos this May with a massive focus on small business growth. Moving beyond a cultural celebration, the bank is framing this year's event as an economic launchpad for vendors, offering high-capacity stalls and significant capital access.
The Big Highlights:
When & Where: May 1st to May 3rd, 2026, at the GTCentre in Oniru, Lagos.
The Cost: Free entry for visitors and free stalls for the 204 selected vendors.
The Money: GTCO is offering merchant loans of up to N30 million to help vendors grow their businesses.
What’s Changing This Year?
Organizers are fixing two major issues that vendors complained about in the past:
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Fairness for All Stalls: In previous years, some vendors felt "hidden" away from the crowds. This year, the layout has been redesigned to be completely open, so every stall gets equal foot traffic.
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Huge Space: The festival has added a second massive tent to accommodate more people, as the 30,000-square-meter venue is expected to be packed.
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Merchant Loans: GTCO is offering loans of up to N30 million to help vendors scale their businesses.
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Free Stalls: 204 retail stalls have been provided to small business owners at no cost.
How Vendors Were Picked:
The bank didn't just pick names out of a hat. They looked for:
Digital Presence: You must have a strong online following so customers can find you after the event.
Specialization: They preferred businesses that do one thing very well rather than a "jack of all trades".
The Fun Stuff:
It’s not all business. The festival includes:
• Masterclasses: Learn from food and drink experts.
• Family Friendly: A larger children’s play area and theatre.
• Free Stalls: 204 retail stalls have been provided to small business owners at no cost.
The Bottom Line: GTCO is trying to prove that this festival isn't just a spectacle, but a way to help small businesses actually thrive, not just survive.
