As part of a strategic push to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imports, Zedcrest Group officially unveiled the new cohort of business partners for the 2025/2026 season of its “A Taste of Nigeria” initiative on February 11, 2026.
Launched originally in 2024 following a 60% depreciation of the Naira, the program champions “proudly Nigerian” brands. It provides SMEs with a full suite of institutional support, including bulk product purchases, tailored financing, and long-term strategic partnerships to help them scale in both domestic and diaspora markets.
1. The 2025/2026 Partner Cohort
The new cohort features ten diverse brands representing the best of Nigerian craftsmanship in food, beverage, and wellness:
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Beverages: Pedro’s Ogogoro, Bature Brewery (West Africa’s first craft brewery), and Happy Coffee.
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Food & Confectionery: Loom Chocolate (bean-to-bar), Lim Lim Foods, Kokari Coconuts, Tquart Foods, and Dulce’s Jam.
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Wellness & Lifestyle: Dang and MySibi.
2. Countering the Import Crisis
The initiative comes at a critical time for the national economy. According to National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data, Nigeria’s import bill surged to ₦46.8 trillion in the first three quarters of 2025—a 17.7% increase from 2024.
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Sustainable Growth: Oyinkansola Adeboye, Head of Brands and Communications at Zedcrest, noted that supporting these SMEs is essential as they form the “backbone” of the economy.
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Storytelling: To humanize the economic impact, Zedcrest has launched a weekly video series on their YouTube channel, offering audiences a “front-row seat” into the entrepreneurial journeys of the new partners.
3. Looking Back: The Maiden Edition Success
The success of the 2024 pilot proved the viability of the “Source-to-Shelf” advocacy model. Early participants included:
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ReelFruit (Dried fruit snacks)
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Dala Liqueur (Indigenous spirits)
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Arami Essentials (Skincare)
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E’Sorae Home (Luxury home goods)
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Gratia Foods & Oma’s Whole Foods
A Taste of Nigeria: Strategy at a Glance
“SMEs form the backbone of the Nigerian economy. We are providing entrepreneurs with the tools, access, and visibility they need to scale.” — Oyinkansola Adeboye, Head of Brands, Zedcrest Group.
