GTCO Food & Drink Festival Returns With 204 Stalls, N30m SME Loans

Photo Credit: Arise News

Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) has announced the return of its Food and Drink Festival, with the 9th edition set to feature expanded participation, improved access, and financial support for small businesses.

The three-day event will hold from May 1 to May 3, 2026, at the GTCentre in Oniru, Lagos, offering 204 free retail stalls to vendors alongside merchant loans of up to N30 million aimed at supporting small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs).

Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, Group CEO Segun Agbaje described the festival as a platform for promoting innovation and enterprise, while Chief Communication Officer Oyinade Adegite highlighted access to financing as a key focus of this year’s edition.

According to Adegite, vendors using the bank’s payment platforms can access loans of up to N30 million, with the initiative extending beyond food businesses to support a broader range of small enterprises.

Organisers said lessons from previous editions have influenced improvements, particularly around stall visibility and fair access to customer traffic, following earlier concerns from vendors about uneven exposure.

The 2026 edition will also see expanded infrastructure within the GTCentre’s event space to accommodate more vendors and visitors, though GTCO noted that plans to extend the festival beyond Lagos are currently on hold to maintain quality and standards.

Vendor selection, organisers added, will prioritise businesses with a clear focus, consistency, and a strong digital presence, reflecting the festival’s emphasis on sustainability and growth.

Beyond commerce, the festival will feature interactive masterclasses, a larger children’s theatre, and other engagement activities designed to attract a diverse audience.

With free entry and a broader support structure, GTCO says the event is positioned to not only showcase food and culture but also drive long-term growth for participating SMEs.