The sixth edition of the Connect Nigeria E-business Fair which took place on Saturday February 18, had thousands in attendance- entrepreneurs, business professionals, representatives of brands great and upcoming, and people looking to bring their own ventures to life. They were attracted by what was on offer- panel sessions that promised to reveal proven ways of leveraging technology to grow businesses; a convergence of business-minded people with whom deals could be done and business relationships built, and a great space to exhibit products and services and get great bargains from favourite brands.
The panel sessions did bring to light strategies for business success; participants expressed their delight about how informative and thought-provoking they were. A huge number of people also trooped into the exhibition hall to have a look at the variety of products on display, and obtain them at discounted prices.
A total of 16 booths and 29 tables were taken up by exhibitors who showcased their products at the fair. Exhibitors at the booths included MainOne, Phillips Consulting, Gidi Cartel, Africa Web Giant, JMG, Etisalat, Manifest Apparel, Photogenic, JiJi.ng, iConcepts, RackCentre, Guaranty Trust Bank, SageOne, among others. Some of the businesses at the tables were Brand Worx, Flexi Saf, Lucy.ng, Gigalayer, Sleek Studio, Dressmeoutlet, Omali, Selah Foods, Just Fragrance, EnjoyLagos, Whitneywhyt, Christal Homes, Deere, and Little Weavers. There was also a Made-in-Nigeria section in which businesses had locally made products on display. All these sections were alive with activity, as attendees at the fair stopped by to inquire about the items being showcased and make purchases.
The response from participants at the fair was overwhelmingly positive. Bankole Oluwafemi, Editor-In-Chief at TechCabal and a speaker at one of the panel sessions, said he was impressed with the way the event had unfolded.
“I love the energy,” he said. “So many businesses, so much energy. SMEs are always looking to use technology to advance their businesses, and it is very exciting to be amongst everyone here today”.
Sumet Ayush, who was one of the participants, said he was pleasantly surprised by the turnout at the fair.
“I never expected such a crowd,” he admitted. “A lot of innovative solutions, particularly in the SME space. I am sure we will get what we need here in terms of business and partnerships”.
On the whole, the Connect Nigeria E-Business Fair was a success, and those who took part in it gained in no small way from its many offerings.