National Products Fair, Expo, Exhibition, and Economic Forum 2026 Set to Showcase Nigeria's Industrial and Innovation Potential by National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Project Office, Supported by Abia State Government

The National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Project Office has announced the National Products Fair, Expo, Exhibition and Economic Forum 2026, a flagship national event designed to promote indigenous production, innovation, investment, entrepreneurship, and economic transformation.

Scheduled to be held in Umuahia, Abia State, the event reflects Nigeria's growing commitment to strengthening local manufacturing, supporting homegrown businesses, and creating new opportunities for trade and investment. Recognized as "The Heart of Innovation and Enterprise," Umuahia will host stakeholders from across the country's public and private sectors in what is expected to become one of Nigeria's premier economic development platforms.

The 2026 edition will be held under the theme:

"Innovate, Produce, Brand, Exhibit for National Development."

The theme captures the complete value chain required for sustainable economic growth. It emphasizes that national prosperity depends not only on creating innovative ideas but also on transforming them into products, building globally competitive brands, showcasing them to wider markets, and creating an enabling environment for investment and industrial expansion.

The National Products Fair is expected to bring together a broad range of participants, including manufacturers, entrepreneurs, investors, exporters, innovators, policymakers, financial institutions, business associations, development partners, researchers, and consumers. The platform will encourage collaboration, facilitate business networking, and create new market opportunities for Nigerian-made products and services.

The programme will focus on five strategic pillars that are central to Nigeria's industrial development agenda:

• Innovate – Driving ideas, technology, research, and creative solutions that improve productivity and competitiveness.

• Produce – Promoting local manufacturing, value addition, and increased domestic production across key sectors of the economy.

• Brand – Building strong Nigerian brands capable of competing successfully in regional and international markets.

• Exhibit – Providing businesses with opportunities to showcase products, innovations, technologies, and investment opportunities to local and global audiences.

• Develop – Supporting inclusive economic growth, job creation, industrialisation, and long-term national prosperity.

The event will showcase products and innovations from diverse sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, renewable energy, technology, fashion, leatherworks, crafts, food processing, healthcare, creative industries, and other emerging sectors driving Nigeria's economic diversification.

Beyond product exhibitions, the Economic Forum component will provide a platform for high-level discussions on industrial policy, investment promotion, export development, innovation ecosystems, youth entrepreneurship, financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and strategies for increasing the global competitiveness of Nigerian products.

The selection of Abia State as host reflects its reputation as one of Nigeria's leading centres for entrepreneurship and manufacturing. The state, particularly the commercial city of Aba, has long been recognized for its thriving industrial clusters, skilled artisans, and growing ecosystem of locally manufactured products. Hosting the event in Umuahia further reinforces Abia's position as a strategic destination for innovation, enterprise, and industrial development.

The National Products Fair also aligns with the Federal Government's broader objectives of reducing import dependence, promoting value addition, strengthening non-oil exports, creating employment, and encouraging greater patronage of Made-in-Nigeria goods. It supports the implementation of policies aimed at enhancing Nigeria's manufacturing capacity while positioning indigenous businesses to benefit from opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

With the message "Made in Nigeria. Proudly Nigerian," the initiative seeks to inspire greater national confidence in locally produced goods while fostering stronger partnerships between government, industry, investors, and consumers.

As preparations continue, the National Products Fair, Expo, Exhibition and Economic Forum 2026 promises to serve as a catalyst for innovation, enterprise development, investment attraction, and industrial growth. By bringing together key stakeholders from across the value chain, the event aims to strengthen Nigeria's productive economy, elevate indigenous brands, and contribute meaningfully to the country's vision of sustainable national development.

Together, through innovation, production, branding, and collaboration, Nigeria can build a more resilient economy powered by local enterprise and globally competitive industries.