Ibukun Awosika Launches African Marketplace Dubai 2025
Renowned Nigerian entrepreneur and former First Bank Chairperson, Ibukun Awosika, has announced the launch of African Marketplace Dubai 2025, a bold new international exhibition aimed at showcasing Africa’s and the Caribbean’s most innovative, export-ready businesses to the global stage.
The event, organized by the Ibukun Awosika Leadership Academy (IALA), will take place from November 12 to 15, 2025, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Dubai.
The four-day marketplace is designed to provide a premium platform for brands across sectors such as fashion, agribusiness, creative industries, technology, and textiles to connect with global investors, distributors, and collaborators.
Speaking on the vision for the event, Awosika described the initiative as more than just a trade exhibition, but a powerful statement on the quality, creativity, and economic potential of Africa and the Caribbean.
“This isn’t just about products on display,” Awosika said. “It’s about shifting perception, opening doors, and showing that our excellence belongs at the centre of global conversations. Dubai gives us a global stage that’s both strategic and symbolic.”
The African Marketplace will bring together over 250 curated exhibitors from across the African and Caribbean regions. These businesses will be given access to an international audience of buyers, investors, and business leaders.
The event promises product showcases, immersive cultural experiences, hands-on workshops, and targeted B2B sessions aimed at facilitating real-time partnerships and export opportunities.
According to IALA, the marketplace is a direct response to the structural barriers that have long restricted African and Caribbean SMEs from scaling their operations internationally. It is also part of a broader effort to reposition African products and services within the premium global economy.
The African Marketplace is being hosted in collaboration with the Department of Economy and Tourism of Dubai, lending both credibility and strategic location value to the event. Dubai’s global connectivity and commercial relevance are expected to significantly boost visibility and access for participating brands.
Organizers estimate the event will attract thousands of attendees, including policymakers, development partners, global retailers, and venture capital firms.
Beyond networking, the marketplace will also serve as a critical learning platform—offering sessions on business development, export strategy, financing, and brand elevation.
Registration for exhibitors is currently open at www.theafricanmarketplace.org. Entrepreneurs and SME owners from across Africa and the Caribbean are encouraged to apply. The selection process will prioritize quality, scalability, and readiness for international markets.
With this ambitious initiative, Ibukun Awosika continues to position herself at the forefront of Africa’s economic evolution—bridging vision, leadership, and opportunity to empower businesses and rewrite global narratives.
As anticipation builds toward November, African Marketplace Dubai 2025 is shaping up to be not just an exhibition, but a transformative moment for African and Caribbean entrepreneurship.
