Cross River to Host 2026 International Coffee Festival

The Cross River State Government will host the 2026 International Coffee Festival on October 30 and November 1, under 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.

The festival is being organised by Lingzi Global Nigeria Ltd, in collaboration with the National Coffee and Tea Association of Nigeria (NACOFTAN) and other stakeholders.

30 million Seedlings Planned Over Five Years

Ebokpo said the state also plans to distribute 30 million coffee seedlings to farmers over the next five years, as part of efforts to boost production and develop the state's agricultural economy. He explained that the initiative forms part of Cross River's strategic coffee development programme, which began in 2024.

According to him, the state has about 23,000 square kilometres of arable land suitable for coffee cultivation, with the capacity to produce both Arabica and Robusta varieties. He noted that Arabica would be cultivated in the highlands, particularly around the Obudu Ranch area, while Robusta would be grown in the lowlands.

Ebokpo said the state is positioning coffee as an alternative economic driver, noting that the global coffee market presents 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 explained that the coffee value chain extends well beyond cultivation, encompassing processing, packaging, marketing, and export, and stressed the need to encourage local consumption alongside export. He disclosed that the state government approved hosting the international festival as part of broader efforts to position Cross River as a globally recognised coffee-producing state, adding that the event would create job opportunities and encourage greater participation of women and youths in the coffee value chain.

Ebokpo noted that Cross River, already a major cocoa-producing state, is also positioning itself to become one of the leading coffee-producing states in West Africa.

Festival to Focus on Sustainability, Skills, Investment

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. She said the event would provide a platform for farmers, processors, investors, and international organisations to collaborate on developing Nigeria's coffee industry.

Nanman recalled that the 2025 edition, held in Plateau State, attracted participants from various countries and contributed to increased awareness and consumption of coffee across Nigeria. She disclosed that Lingzi Global went on to establish additional coffee shops following that festival, as part of efforts to promote a culture of local coffee consumption. She added that about 30 countries are expected to participate in this year's edition.

NACOFTAN: Coffee Could Position Nigeria as Africa's Leader

Similarly, the National President of NACOFTAN, Dr Hassan Kakara, commended the Cross River government for its investment in coffee production, noting that coffee and tea could significantly contribute to employment generation, income, environmental sustainability, and broader 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," Kakara said, adding that NACOFTAN would continue supporting the state's coffee development efforts and encourage stakeholders to contribute to the initiative.

He noted that 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.