The first-ever African-Caribbean Franchise Exhibition is set to take place in Lagos from July 3 to 5, 2025, in what organisers describe as a strategic effort to foster regional business expansion, close knowledge gaps in franchising, and strengthen economic ties between Africa and the Caribbean.

Jointly organised by Arravo Technologies Limited and ACR Holdings under the banner of the CEO Drawing Board initiative, the exhibition will bring together franchise owners, investors, policymakers, and business leaders from across both regions.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, President of ACR Holdings, Funmi Bajulaiye, said the exhibition was conceived to address the limited adoption of franchising in Africa—a model that has been successfully used by Fortune 500 companies to scale operations globally.

“Franchising has immense potential in Africa and the Caribbean, yet many businesses remain unfamiliar with the process,” she said. “This exhibition is a platform for engagement, education, and long-term business partnerships.”

Bajulaiye explained that the idea for the event took root in 2020 through conversations within the CEO Drawing Board, a platform that has since attracted participants from over 100 countries across five continents.

Chairman of the exhibition and CEO of Arravo Technologies, Dr. Ayo Adegboye, noted that Africa’s slow transition to a knowledge-driven economy is partly due to limited technological infrastructure and weak franchising ecosystems. According to him, the exhibition will spotlight innovation as a key enabler of trust and scale.

“In addition to the physical exhibition, Arravo is deploying an AI-powered due diligence platform to support franchising engagements,” Adegboye said. “This platform performs comprehensive business background checks and integrates legal, financial, and regulatory partners—cutting due diligence time from years to hours.”

He added that the platform also includes escrow services to secure franchise investments, thereby reducing risk and increasing investor confidence. “Funds are held within the platform during transactions to ensure transparency and protect the interests of all parties,” he explained.

The exhibition will also feature masterclasses, panel discussions, and legal clinics aimed at demystifying franchising as a business model. International franchisors and brand owners are expected to showcase opportunities, while African and Caribbean entrepreneurs will engage in business matchmaking sessions.

Joining the briefing virtually were several high-profile figures including:

• Maxi Sam Ohuabunwa, CEO of Neimeth Pharmaceuticals and Chair of CEO Drawing Board 6.0,
• Wincate Muthini, Senior Programme Manager at the Pan-African Chamber of Commerce,
• Shawna Rollins, the first known Caribbean franchise owner, and
• Chalya Shagaya, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Entrepreneurship Development.

Ohuabunwa hailed the exhibition as a timely intervention. “This initiative supports the broader philosophy of economic cooperation through franchising, mergers, and acquisitions,” he said. “African businesses must adopt strategic growth models to compete globally.”

With the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) gaining momentum, stakeholders believe the franchise exhibition could serve as a springboard for cross-border business alliances and innovation-driven expansion across Africa and the Caribbean.

Themed “Franchise Frontiers: Bridging African-Caribbean Business Landscapes”, the event is expected to be a watershed moment for the franchising industry on the continent.