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All eyes on Nigeria

Africa has had to overcome many challenges to be seen as a prime investment market. Breaking through political concerns and reports of bribery and corruption, Nigeria has become a headline success story for the West African region, presenting unparalleled opportunities in the security sector.

With the growth of the region, there is a stronger focus on security. IFSEC West Africa 2013 is the upcoming security, fire and safety ex­hibition, supported by government and top industry associations, incorporating both commercial and homeland security. Now in its third year, IFSEC West Africa will once again be held at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos, Nigeria, from 5-6 March 2013.

In a January 2012 research report from the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), Nigeria is tipped as an investment hotspot, with burgeoning economic potential reported for the West African region.

Ross Cullingworth, portfolio manager at UBM Montgomery West Africa, the organisers of IFSEC West Africa, agrees. “In fact, Nigeria boasts the second largest economy on the continent,” he says. “Our host city Lagos is set to become the third largest city in the world in just over three years and as such has a growing security market.”

Africa is becoming a frontier market, with Nigeria at the nerve centre. According to reports from Invest AD [April, 2012], international investment advisors, Africa has been identified as a better investment opportunity than even the Asian and Latin American markets. While mineral, oil and gas resources have earmarked the West African region for growth, wider prospects are also making it ripe for investment, including infrastructure and security. IFSEC West Africa 2013 is aimed at those wanting to cater to, and capture, this potentially-rich market.

Cullingworth goes on to say that the IFSEC brand is fast gaining momentum in Africa, attracting hundreds of local and international exhibiting security brands and thousands of visitors. IFSEC has earned an enviable reputation for attracting top-class security professionals who come to meet hundreds of local and international exhibitors under a single comprehensive umbrella event.

IFSEC West Africa 2012, held in March this year, attracted 64% new visitors, of which almost 20% had budgets in excess of $1 million [R8.4 million]. While almost half the visitors came from Africa, the other half was equally made up of visitors from Asia and Europe. Most visitors came to meet new and existing brands in the supply chain, but even more came to seek new products. The 2013 show will include the launch of a dedicated Safety Pavilion, aimed at exhibitors specialising in occupational safety and health (OSH).

“This is a key event for the trade and commercial end-users, offering the ultimate security solutions in the market, with excellent education and networking opportunities,” Cullingworth concluded. “Security professionals will have access to the West Africa market in a comprehensive, specialised three-day event.”

For more information contact Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery,

+27 (0)11 835 1565, leighm@specialised.com, www.ifsecwestafrica.com

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