The Lagos International Trade Fair (LITF) is the largest international exhibition in

West Africa West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of Africa. The United Nations defines Western Africa as the 16 countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Maurit ...

. The Trade Fair is the premier International Trade Fair in

Nigeria Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...

with the spectacular 10-day event usually starting on the first Friday of November, annually.

History

The first Lagos international trade fair was held in 1977 shortly after

Eko Hotels and Suites Eko Hotels and Suites is a five-star conference centre hotel in Lagos. 09161518010 History Established in 1977 as ''Èkó Holiday Inn'' and built on Victoria Island, it is the largest hotel in Nigeria. It was designed by architect Oluwole Olumu ...

was completed. It is staged every year and organized by the Trade Promotions Board and the oldest chamber of commerce in Nigeria: the

Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry The Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry is a Lagos area non-profit that promotes, supports or opposes legislative or other measures affecting trade, industry, commerce and agriculture as well as representing the opinion of the Lagos business comm ...

(LCCI). It is reputed to be the largest business market in the ecowas sub-region as it attracts investors from other parts of the world. It is a 10-day annual fair which begins in the first Friday of November. The fair is one of the major attractions of Lagos' commercial yearly activities. Since its inception, it has grown to become the largest trade show in subsaharan Africa and has attracted both national and international entrepreneurs from over 1600 companies all over the world The Trade Fairs spans approximately 40, 000 meters squared of exhibited space. The Fair which is staged with the support and co-operation of the Federal and the State Governments covers all aspects of business and economic activities in Nigeria. It offers a unique exposition for manufacturers, suppliers, buyers and users of a wide range of goods and services as well as opportunities for investment and trade promotions. It was initially staged at the Lagos Trade Fair Complex at Badagry Expressway,

Ojo Ojo may refer to: *Ōjō, a Japanese Buddhist term referring to rebirth in the Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha *Ojo, a curious red bear cub who has a wild imagination and is good friends with Treelo on ''Bear in the Big Blue House'' * ''Ojo'' (comi ...

before relocating to

Tafawa Balewa Square The Tafawa Balewa Square, (TBS) is a ceremonial ground (originally called "Race Course") in Lagos Island, Lagos. History Lagos Race Course now TBS, was a sports field that hosted horse racing, but included a section for football and ground t ...

. The Lagos International trade fair complex is a hexagonal shaped exhibition hall covered with space roof elements and shading panels, which formed a new trend in architectural innovation of its time over the years. Organizations partnered with the fair include the National directorate of employment, Nigerian business organisations, foreign organisations and governments, ECOWAS member states, diplomatic missions and trade representatives, federal and state government-owned companies, agencies, parastatals, research and educational institutions Nigerian celebrities are appointed as goodwill Ambassadors as part of measures to spice up the programme and Companies are allowed to make use of side attractions to source for patronage.

Subsections Of The Fair

In September 2015, the Chairman, Trade Promotion Board of the LCCI, Dr. Olawale Cole, announced that the Trade Fair will be holding simultaneously in 3 different locations. He further revealed that the events will be the general trade fair which will hold at the Tafawa Balewa Square; the Lagos Creative Industry Fair which will hold at Freedom Park; and the Business to Business Exhibition which will hold at

Muson Centre MUSON Centre (Musical Society of Nigeria) is a performance hall in Lagos. The multipurpose civic auditorium is located in the heart of Lagos Island, situated between the National Museum, the City Mall, the Onikan Stadium and the former offic ...

Lagos Creative Industry Fair

Eko Akete is a ten-day cultural manifestation during which hundreds of performers animate Freedom Park, Lagos with artistic and intellectual offerings. Both indigenous and international acts perform in what is said to be the biggest cultural fair in West Africa. According to the Creative Industry Principal Partner, Jahman Anikulapo, "Lagos Creative Festival 'EKO AKETE' organised by the

in conjunction with CORA and

Freedom Park In the Philippines, a freedom park is a centrally located public space where political gatherings, rallies and demonstrations may be held without the need of prior permission from government authorities. Similar to free speech zones in the United S ...

will be used to showcase the creative industry and explore the linkage between the creative industry and the formal businesses." In 2015, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry presents the 2015 Lagos International Trade Fair, the premiere international trade fair in West Africa

Business To Business Exhibition

The Business to Business Exhibition of the Lagos International Trade Fair holds at Muson Centre, and hosts multinational organizations and foreign investors; and serves as a platform for exhibitions, networking, Business-to-Business meetings, and an Investment Conference.

References

External links

{{Lagos, state=collapsed Annual events in Lagos Recurring events established in 1977 Economy of Lagos Trade fairs in Lagos 1977 establishments in Nigeria Annual events in Nigeria Trade fairs in Nigeria