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Launched in 2022, the World Coffee and Tea Expo, otherwise known as WCTE, operates as the foundation of the most dominant business-to-business avenue for industry stakeholders worldwide to network with investors, create increased business opportunities, and exchange innovative ideas.WCTE has offered the ideal launchpad for SMEs’ fresh products and technologies to enter the market by associating with leading brand names. With a specific focus on tea, coffee, and other related sectors, this company provides an appropriate platform to improve the foothold in existing markets whilst forming inroads into other markets.Who doesn’t start a good day off with a steaming cup of tea or coffee? As one of the major producers and exporters of tea and coffee within Africa, Nigeria hosts the only dedicated Expo, making this event particularly special. To learn what this event is all about, read on to find out more!
This African Fairtrade event is set to take place in Lagos, kicking off on October 1st since it is World Coffee Day on this particular date. Following this special celebration, the event then finishes on October 5th at Eko Hotels & Suites. The highly anticipated World Coffee and Tea Expo 2022 is a partnership event of the Pan African Equitable Alliance, West African Speciality Coffee and Tea Association, and Canada’s Coconut and Superfoods Expo.
This exciting, fresh event aims to provide a platform to connect the community through tea and coffee. By showcasing the plentiful varieties of African tea and coffee as well as other native African superfoods, the event intends to raise awareness of the people behind the making of these incredible superfoods. After all, when a multinational corporation markets a product, it ultimately becomes a commodity. This means that the people who put time and hard work into generating these products are generally lost along the way. This event hopes to show why recognising the people who nurture, harvest, process, and package the tea and coffee is essential whilst further educating North Americans and Africans on this industry.
This event highlights the relevance, success, and setbacks that the industry is undergoing and how this may affect consumers. In such a process, the event elevates the market’s mindful consumption, treating tea and coffee with the respect they truly deserve rather than as mere commodities.
During this first B2B and B2C Coffee and Tea Forum in West Africa, companies and supplies will have the chance to showcase their current services and products to others in a journey towards collaboration and celebration. With education on ethical consumerism and its benefits for African producers, a forum for progressive speakers will also take place. Intriguing topics will be discussed, such as myths versus facts, technological advancements in the supply chain, and the role of tea and coffee in the wellness industry. If this wasn’t enough, the event will also host the first-ever West African Barista Competition, giving people in the industry an opportunity to show off their amazing skills!
The history of tea and coffee within Africa spans many years, being an integral part of the roots of this World Coffee and Tea Expo in 2022. So, how did it all begin?
Around 150 years ago, the tea bush was first introduced to Malawi and then to the East African hills by British settlers. Plant material principally came from British India and British Ceylon, selected from the large leaf Assamica varieties. The climate and soil in the hills provided favourable conditions for the tea bush. Following the end of the 1960-61 colonial rule, the new, independent African countries started to manage their agricultural resources on their own, with the planet’s tea majors remaining involved as the owners of substantial tea estates.
In present times, Africa grows a significant per cent of the planet’s teas, although many of the producing countries export them instead of consuming them. African tea growers have become central suppliers with an increasing share of world tea exports within the 2000s. Constantly thriving in East and Central Africa, producers are looking to conquer new markets and raise their profiles as time goes on. Consumption also appears to be increasing in the West and North of the continent, with tea imports rising by a quarter and representing 20% of global tea imports.
Overall, Kenya is the most prominent African tea producer, involving harvesting all year round because it sits directly across the equator. The 11 distinct regions concerning tea are scattered across the high plains west and east of the Eastern Rift Valley, with over two-thirds of the products being supplied by smaller holders and factories managed by the Kenya Tea Development Agency. The other third is produced on large estates managed by tea multinationals like Unilever.
As for coffee, this product can trace its origins back centuries to the ancient coffee forests situated on the Ethiopian plateau. Legend has it that Kaldi, a goat herder, first came across the potential of these extraordinary beans. It is said that Kaldi discovered coffee beans after noticing that, after consuming berries from a specific tree, his goats became so full of energy that they would not want to sleep during the night. Kaldi then reported these findings to an abbot of the local monastery, who tested these berries for himself. It was found that they kept him alert through the stretching hours of evening prayers, and the news of these energising berries soon spread. As rumours moved east, coffee reached the Arabian Peninsula, beginning an incredible journey which would take these beans across the whole planet.
Now, the African continent supplies a considerable 12% of the world’s coffee beans, with Ethiopia both producing and consuming the most significant percentage in the continent. As the birthplace of Arabica coffee, Ethiopia is famous for its original Sidamo, Yirgacheffe, and Harar Arabica varieties, whilst Kenya’s Arabica beans grown near Mount Kenya at high altitudes are also in high demand. Despite this, with the exception of Ethiopia, it appears that Africans actually drink very little coffee, with most countries adopting predominantly tea-drinking cultures. This being said, it’s clear to see that Africa has a very enriching history and modern presence in tea and coffee production, injecting significance into our World Coffee and Tea Expo this year!
If you’re still unsure whether this launch is for you or not, some supplier benefits should help you decide. You will have fantastic access to a vast customer base as a supplier at this event. This event is open to a broad range of customers, meaning that suppliers are exposed to a colossal public sector customer base – more extensive than what may have otherwise been possible. Further still, this may give you new business opportunities if you meet your customers’ specific needs.
Secondly, public sector customers at this event will be amongst the most dependable payers. As a supplier, this opportunity can provide you with a reliable income, which is particularly critical for small to medium-sized businesses.
You can also gain more customers as a supplier by increasing awareness at this event. By actively marketing your brand through various media platforms, including websites, catalogues, and social media, you can promote what you have to offer more and more.
Additionally, one of the great things about our Expo event is that tendering processes remain transparent. This means that suppliers of every size have the opportunity to bid for contracts. Further still, tenders are not just valued on price. Quality factors are also considered to determine the most economically beneficial bids out there. This gives suppliers who offer high-quality services and products the opportunity to gain a contract, even if they are not the cheapest.
Finally, it might be worth noting that incumbent suppliers do not have an advantage at the World Coffee and Tea Expo. This means incumbent suppliers don’t automatically get given the business again – they have to reapply and compete alongside other suppliers, offering equal opportunities to all at the event.
The significance of this highly anticipated event should not be underestimated. By attending World Coffee and Tea Expo 2022, you can connect to other global networks, become more aware of the tea and coffee market, and gain an excellent opportunity to showcase your own company. If you’re a supplier seeking a chance to get your products and services out there, then this event could be perfect for you!
And it doesn’t stop here. Whether you’re a roaster, retail store, café, blender, or distributor, as long as your brand fits into Africa’s bean and leaf scene, we were hoping you could celebrate this culture of entrepreneurs with us. Get on board and keep up to date with the launch today!
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