Nigeria will host the maiden Spirit of Coffee 2.0 festival in Abuja on November 18 and 19, 2026, bringing together coffee experts, artists, investors, diplomats and policymakers from Africa and the Arab world to promote coffee trade, culture and investment.
The organisers announced that the two-day event will take place at the Arts and Culture Centre, Garki Area 11, Abuja.
They said the conference will promote coffee as a high-value global commodity and help countries grow their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and foreign exchange earnings.
The organisers explained that the festival will gather diplomats, government officials, private sector leaders, academics, media professionals, coffee merchants and industry experts.
They described the event as a new annual platform for trade, creative excellence and cultural diplomacy between Africa and the Arab world.
Furthermore, Spirit of Coffee 2.0 is organising the event with the West Africa Specialty Coffee Association (WASCA) and Naeche Communications Ltd.
They said the festival will unite artists, master baristas, coffee producers, investors, cultural leaders and policymakers through the shared tradition of coffee.
The festival will focus on four major activities. They include a curated art exhibition, a national baristas’ championship, executive papers and panel discussions, and a closing awards and auction night.
The organisers said they want the festival to become a lasting national institution instead of a one-time event.
They added that the platform will promote Africa’s creative economy, support specialty coffee producers and strengthen cultural ties with the Arab world.
However, they stressed that Africa should no longer export coffee only as a raw commodity while others earn more from finished products. They said Spirit of Coffee 2.0 will help place African creativity, enterprise and craftsmanship at the centre of the global coffee industry.
The President of Spirit of Coffee 2.0, Mr Larry Segun Lean, said the festival belongs to coffee producers, artists and young baristas across Africa.
He said Abuja will host the opening ceremony, high-level panel discussions, the national baristas’ championship, coffee-themed art exhibitions and a gala night for awards and auctions.
Lean added that the event aims to build lasting commercial and cultural links between African and Arab creative, trade and diplomatic communities.
He invited embassies, cultural missions, corporate organisations, investors, federal and state governments, and individuals to support the initiative.
The Secretary of Spirit of Coffee 2.0, Chief T.P.C. Benjamin mNGE, said the festival will help Africa move from supplying raw coffee to creating more value across the industry.
He described the event as a meeting point for culture, business and innovation that will create opportunities for future generations.
Benjamin urged institutions, partners and Nigerians to support the initiative.
He said more information on partnerships and the programme is available on the official website.
External Links
Spirit of Coffee 2.0 – https://thespiritsofcoffee.com
West Africa Specialty Coffee Association (WASCA) – https://wasca.coffee
International Coffee Organization – https://www.ico.org
