C’River govt. hosts 2026 international coffee festival
The Cross River Government will on Oct. 30 and Nov. 1, host the 2026 International Coffee Festival with the theme ”Coffee Sustainability”.
The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Mr Johnson Ebokpo, disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday ahead of the festival.
Newsmen report that festival is being organised by Lingzi Global Nigeria Ltd., in collaboration with NACOFTAN and other stakeholders.
Ebokpo said that the state also planned on distributing 30 million coffee seedlings to farmers over the next five years to boost production and develop the state’s agricultural economy.
According to him, the initiative is part of the state government strategic coffee development programme, which began in 2024.
He said the state had about 23,000 square Kilo Metres of arable land suitable for coffee cultivation and capacity to produce both Arabica and Robusta varieties.
He explained that arabica would be cultivated in the highlands, particularly around the Obudu ranch area, while robusta will be grown in the lowlands.
He also explained that the state was targeting coffee as an alternative economic driver, noting that the global coffee market offered significant 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 noted that the coffee value chain extended beyond cultivation to processing, packaging, marketing and export, stressing the need to encourage local consumption.
He disclosed that the state government approved the hosting of the international festival as part of efforts to position the state as a globally recognised coffee-producing state.
He said the festival would provide opportunities for job creation and greater participation of women and youths in the coffee value chain.
Ebokpo said Cross River, already a major cocoa-producing state, was also positioning itself to become one of the leading coffee-producing states in West Africa.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Lingzi Global Nigeria Ltd., Mrs Blessing Nanman, said the 2026 festival would focus on coffee sustainability, skills development, community development, job creation, investment, processing, export and local consumption.
Nanman said the festival would provide a platform for farmers, processors, investors and international organisations to collaborate on developing Nigeria’s coffee industry.
She said the 2025 edition held in Plateau, attracted participants from different countries and contributed to increased awareness and consumption of coffee in Nigeria.
According to her, Lingzi Global established additional coffee shops following the 2025 festival as part of efforts to promote a culture of local coffee consumption.
Newsmen said about 30 countries were expected to participate in the 2026 festival.
Similarly, the National President of the National Coffee and Tea Association of Nigeria (NACOFTAN), Dr Hassan Kakara, commended the Cross River government for its investment in coffee production.
Kakara said coffee and tea could contribute significantly to employment generation, income, environmental sustainability and economic development.
He urged stakeholders including government agencies, research institutions and investors to support the development of the coffee value chain.
”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.
Kakara added that NACOFTAN would continue to support the state’s coffee development efforts and encourage stakeholders to contribute to the initiative.
He said the festival would bring together international stakeholders from countries including Brazil, Indonesia and Kenya to share knowledge, technology and experiences across the coffee value chain.