The Cross River State Government has announced plans to host the 2026 International Coffee Festival from October 30 to November 1 as part of efforts to strengthen coffee production and attract investment into the agricultural sector.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Johnson Ebokpo, disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday ahead of the festival, themed “Coffee Sustainability.”
The festival is being organised by Lingzi Global Nigeria Ltd. in collaboration with the National Coffee and Tea Association of Nigeria (NACOFTAN) and other stakeholders.
Ebokpo said the state also plans to distribute 30 million coffee seedlings to farmers over the next five years under its strategic coffee development programme, which began in 2024.
According to him, Cross River has about 23,000 square kilometres of arable land suitable for cultivating both Arabica and Robusta coffee varieties.
He explained that Arabica coffee would be cultivated mainly in the highlands, particularly around the Obudu area, while Robusta would be grown in the lowlands.
Ebokpo said the government was positioning coffee as an alternative economic driver capable of creating opportunities for farmers, processors, investors and young entrepreneurs.
“We want to build an alternative economy around coffee because it is easy to extract its value, and our youths can process it and push their products to the global market,” he said.
The commissioner added that the coffee value chain offered opportunities beyond cultivation, including processing, packaging, marketing and export, while stressing the importance of increasing local consumption.
He said the festival would support job creation and encourage greater participation by women and youths as Cross River seeks to establish itself as a leading coffee-producing state in West Africa.
Chief Executive Officer of Lingzi Global Nigeria Ltd., Blessing Nanman, said the festival would focus on sustainability, skills and community development, investment, processing, exports and local consumption.
Nanman said about 30 countries were expected to participate, providing a platform for farmers, processors, investors and international organisations to exchange knowledge and explore investment opportunities.
She added that the 2025 edition in Plateau State attracted international participants and helped increase awareness of coffee consumption in Nigeria.
Also speaking, NACOFTAN National President, Dr Hassan Kakara, commended the Cross River Government for investing in the sector.
Kakara said coffee and tea could contribute significantly to employment, income generation, environmental sustainability and economic development.
“If we are able to plant 30 million seedlings, I think we can be the best in Africa and not only West Africa,” he said.
He added that stakeholders from countries including Brazil, Indonesia and Kenya were expected to participate in the festival and share knowledge, technology and experiences across the coffee value chain.
SEO Keywords: Cross River Coffee Festival 2026, International Coffee Festival Nigeria, Cross River coffee production, 30 million coffee seedlings, NACOFTAN, coffee farming in Nigeria, Obudu coffee, Nigeria coffee industry.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
