Public nominations have opened across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda for the maiden Foodies Choice Awards, a consumer-driven recognition platform that seeks to recognise governments, farmers, agribusinesses, food brands, chefs and other players across Africa’s food and agriculture value chain.
The initiative, launched by Maxima Media Group, will honour outstanding achievements across 50 award categories covering agriculture, food brands, chefs and culinary arts, tourism and hospitality, food media, and food support services.
Organisers said consumers will nominate and vote for individuals and organisations they believe have made significant contributions to the sector.
The company said, “The awards are being introduced at a time when agriculture remains one of Nigeria’s largest economic sectors, contributing more than one-fifth of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), providing livelihoods for millions of people and supporting a significant share of the workforce. It added that smallholder farmers continue to account for the bulk of domestic food production”.
According to the organisers, recent government efforts to improve food security, expand agricultural financing and attract more private investment have renewed optimism in the sector.
They cited the Federal Government’s recent launch of a $500 million agricultural investment fund aimed at increasing food production, expanding agribusiness opportunities and strengthening food security.
Maxima Media Group also noted that Nigeria’s food economy is creating opportunities beyond farming through indigenous food brands, restaurants, food technology startups, culinary businesses and export-oriented agribusinesses. “It said these developments could contribute to Africa’s ambition of building a $1 trillion food economy by 2030”.
Speaking at the launch, Group Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Maxima Media Group, Oluwafemi Ogundoro, said, “The awards would give consumers a direct role in recognising individuals and organisations making meaningful contributions to the food industry”.
He said, “Nigeria possesses one of Africa’s most dynamic food economies. Across our farms, markets, restaurants, food factories and innovation hubs are remarkable individuals and businesses transforming lives every day. Foodies Choice Awards gives consumers the power to recognise those creating real impact while encouraging higher standards, greater innovation and stronger competitiveness across the industry. This is more than an awards platform, it is a movement to celebrate credibility, inspire excellence and unlock new opportunities for Nigeria’s food economy.”
To strengthen confidence in the process, the organisers appointed KPMG as the official assurance partner. The firm will oversee the nomination, validation and public voting processes.
Chief Operating Officer of Maxima Media Group, Michellee Fox, said, “The partnership was intended to ensure transparency throughout the exercise”.
“Trust is the foundation of Foodies Choice Awards. Every nomination, every vote and every winner must genuinely reflect consumer confidence and industry excellence. Our partnership with KPMG ensures the Awards remain transparent, credible and globally respected,” she said.
The inaugural Foodies Choice Awards will hold in Lagos in November and is expected to bring together government officials, policymakers, investors, development partners, farmers, agribusiness executives, chefs, hospitality operators, food entrepreneurs and entertainment personalities from across Africa.
According to the organisers, the awards form part of a broader initiative to strengthen Africa’s food economy through recognition, dialogue, trade promotion and investment, while creating opportunities that connect producers, innovators, investors and consumers across the continent.
