The African Food & Drinks Festival (AFDF) is set to return for its fifth edition with digital banking company Kuda Bank announced as the headline sponsor. The partnership marks a significant step in the festival’s ongoing efforts to promote African food, entrepreneurship, and cultural exchange.
The 2025 edition will begin in Lagos on 26 October at Muri Okunola Park, before moving to Abuja from 14 to 16 November at Harrow Park. The Abuja leg will include three main activities: a summit on the first day, a food tour on the second, and the main festival on the third. The event is expected to bring together food enthusiasts, business owners, and creative professionals from across Nigeria.
Since its debut in Abuja, the African Food & Drinks Festival has grown into a major platform for celebrating African flavours and the people behind them. Each edition features a mix of food vendors, restaurant chefs, beverage brands, fashion exhibitors, and live entertainment. The event offers a space for collaboration and innovation within Nigeria’s growing cultural and creative economy.
This year’s sponsorship by Kuda Bank reflects the festival’s expanding influence and the increasing interest from major brands in supporting creative industries. Known for its focus on digital innovation and youth engagement, Kuda’s partnership aligns with the festival’s goal of empowering small businesses and connecting communities through shared cultural experiences.
Speaking about the partnership, Kevin Ezeokoli, founder of the African Food Network and convener of the festival, said the collaboration represents a shared vision for progress. “What excites me most about this partnership,” he said, “is that it connects two worlds, food and fintech, both driven by innovation and the desire to make life better for people. Kuda represents a new generation of Nigerian brands that see collaboration as a tool for cultural progress.”
Ezeokoli added that the relationship with Kuda supports the festival’s broader mission to drive social and economic growth through community engagement and entrepreneurship.
The Lagos edition will feature more than 50 food and drink vendors, cooking showcases, musical performances, and family-friendly activities. The Abuja edition will include policy discussions on food and culture, cultural tours, and the main festival experience to round off the weekend.
The festival’s central theme, “United by Food,” continues to guide its activities. Over the past five years, AFDF has built a loyal following among food lovers, small business owners, and creatives across Nigeria. It has also created opportunities for local brands to reach wider audiences and for attendees to experience the diversity of African cuisine in one place.
By partnering with Kuda, the festival aims to strengthen its focus on empowerment and sustainability. The collaboration is expected to open new channels for small business financing, digital payments, and community development, further linking the food and fintech sectors in Nigeria.
As anticipation grows for the upcoming editions in Lagos and Abuja, the African Food & Drinks Festival remains a meeting point for culture, innovation, and collaboration — highlighting how shared experiences around food can continue to shape communities and inspire growth across the continent.
