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Public nominations have opened for the maiden edition of the Foodies Choice Awards across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda, as organisers seek to recognise outstanding contributions to Africa’s food and agriculture sector.
The consumer-driven initiative, launched by Maxima Media Group, will honour governments, farmers, agribusinesses, food brands, chefs and other stakeholders across 50 award categories spanning agriculture, food brands, 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 growth of the food and agriculture value chain.
The company said the awards come 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), employing millions of people and supporting a large 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 initiatives aimed at improving food security, expanding agricultural financing and attracting private investment have boosted confidence in the sector.
They cited the Federal Government’s recent launch of a $500 million agricultural investment fund designed to increase food production, expand agribusiness opportunities and strengthen food security.
Maxima Media Group also noted that Nigeria’s food economy is extending beyond farming, with indigenous food brands, restaurants, food technology startups, culinary businesses and export-oriented agribusinesses creating new opportunities. These developments, it said, could help drive Africa’s ambition of building a $1 trillion food economy by 2030.
Speaking at the launch, the Group Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Maxima Media Group, Oluwafemi Ogundoro, said the awards would empower consumers to recognise individuals and organisations making meaningful contributions to the 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 ensure credibility and transparency, organisers appointed KPMG as the official assurance partner to oversee the nomination, validation and public voting processes.
Chief Operating Officer of Maxima Media Group, Michellee Fox, said the partnership would reinforce public confidence in the awards.
“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 attract 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 are part of a broader initiative to strengthen Africa’s food economy by promoting recognition, dialogue, trade and investment while creating opportunities that connect producers, innovators, investors and consumers across the continent.
