ACTEM NEWS AFRICA
GTCO Hosts Historic Maiden Holiday Edition of Food and Drink Festival, Boosting Nigerian SMEs As Participants Laud Initiative
History was made again as Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) has successfully concluded the first-ever “Holiday Edition” of its flagship GTCO Food and Drink Festival, Actem News Africa can report.
Held from December 20 to 21, 2025, at the GTCentre in Oniru, Victoria Island, the two-day event transformed the venue into a vibrant festive hub, drawing thousands of food enthusiasts, families, and international visitors.
Objectives Of the Food And Drinks Festival includes:
Empowering Local Enterprise: A central pillar of the festival was the empowerment of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
Actem News Africa can reliably report this particular holiday
edition featured 213 Nigerian-owned food businesses, nearly doubling the number of vendors from previous events.
These vendors were provided with free retail stalls, enabling them to showcase indigenous products—ranging from traditional street foods to artisanal holiday treats—to a massive audience without the burden of marketing costs.
Actem News Africa reporters spoke to some vendors.
Funky Bistro, a vendor who has been with GTCO foods and drinks since 2023 described the entire event as satisfactory and grateful. Mrs Anuoluwapo who spoke on behalf of FUNKY BISTRO said; “GTCO is really trying for entrepreneurs. Can you believe that immediately we opened shop on Saturday morning we started sales. Everything is so seamless and efficient. We came here first in 2023 and we have seen lots of improvements at this GTCO holiday edition. Thank you GTCO”.
Another vendor, DODO GANG who majors in food and pastries spoke with Actem News Africa on their excitement to be part of this edition. “We are so thrilled to be part of this. Everything is professionally packaged here. Certainly GTCO is the best among the rest”.
Economic and Cultural Impact
The festival is estimated to have injected billions of naira into the Nigerian economy, stimulating growth through direct sales and job creation.
Segun Agbaje, Group CEO of GTCO Plc, highlighted the event’s role in celebrating African creativity and providing a platform for entrepreneurs to connect with consumers and the diaspora community.
Key Highlights of the Holiday Edition:
Christmas Village: A curated marketplace featuring handcrafted gifts, seasonal delicacies, and artisanal products tailored for the yuletide season.
Street Food Hub: A dedicated zone celebrating the diversity of Nigerian street cuisine, which proved a major attraction for attendees.
Family-Centric Experience: An expanded children’s play zone offered immersive games and activities, making the festival a premier destination for families.
High-Energy Entertainment: Live performances by top-tier DJs maintained a festive atmosphere throughout the 10 AM to 10 PM daily schedule.
Seamless Payments: Vendors reported a highly efficient transaction experience facilitated by GTCO’s robust POS and transfer systems, ensuring a hassle-free environment for both buyers and sellers.
A Shift in Focus
Departing from the traditional format of the annual May festival, this maiden December edition focused on immersive holiday attractions rather than culinary masterclasses, aiming to maximize festive engagement and community connection.
Actem News Africa speaking with a participant, Adefunke who applauded the initiative and stated she had a memorable time.
Another participant, Victoria spoke about the family games and funfare. “My children had the best of times. They enjoyed the slides, the roller coasters and collected Christmas gifts. It was really a full package”, she concluded.
As the event rounded up on Sunday night, attendees and vendors alike commended the organization for its significant contribution to the local economy and for creating a unique platform that celebrates the richness of African food culture during the holidays.
About GTCO Plc
Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc is a leading financial services group with operations across Africa and the United Kingdom.
The Group remains committed to “Promoting Enterprise” as a core part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, fostering growth for small businesses across the continent.
GTCO expands food and drink festival with debut holiday edition