The Benin Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture has assured participants that the Edo State 2026 Trade Fair will connect local farmers and producers to the global market.

Director of the 2026 Trade Fair, Dr Jonathan Oboite, disclosed this in Benin on Friday at the pre-launch dinner for the forthcoming trade fair, scheduled for November and December 2026.

Oboite, who doubles as 2nd Deputy President of BENCCIMA, said the trade fair was initiated to bridge the existing gap between local farmers, producers, and the global market. He emphasised the need for collaboration, noting that Edo has hosted trade fairs for many years, but the forthcoming edition requires joint effort to succeed.

“The gap that exists between raw materials and finished products, and exporting products from our farmers, has existed for so long.

So, the Chamber has decided to step up and take that responsibility to ensure that products from local farmers and producers get abroad if necessary. We want to help them. We want to educate them, give them orientation, and make life better for everyone. An economically safe society is a better society,” he said.

Earlier, in his welcome address, President of BENCCIMA, Omoregie Godwin, said the trade fair would serve as a platform for market expansion, investment attraction, product innovation and technology transfer, SME development, job creation, and export promotion.

He added, “The Edo State Trade Fair 2026 will showcase indigenous industries and local content, promote agri-processing, solid minerals, light manufacturing, and digital innovation, provide SMEs with visibility and structured business exposure, facilitate Business-to-Business and Business-to-Government engagements, attract investors into priority sectors, stimulate tourism and hospitality activities, and generate direct and indirect employment.

“The government’s role in creating an enabling environment cannot be overstated. Policy stability, infrastructure development, ease of doing business reforms, and security assurance are the bedrock upon which private enterprise thrives. This trade fair will serve as a feedback and engagement platform between policymakers and industry players.”

The BENCCIMA president called for coordinated economic advancement rather than isolated efforts. He added, “The economic prosperity of Edo State will not be built by the government alone. It will not be built by the private sector alone. It will be built in partnership. Let November/December 2026 mark not just another trade fair, but the beginning of a renewed economic era for Edo State—a deliberate, strategic, and sustained partnership.”

In his speech, Edo State Commissioner for Business, Trade and Investment, Omoh Anabo, urged entrepreneurs and business leaders to take advantage of the trade fair to build partnerships and enterprises that will stand the test of time. Anabo assured BENCCIMA of his ministry’s full support as preparations towards delivering a world-class trade fair intensified.

“The ministry is committed to working closely with BENCCIMA and all stakeholders in an environment built on transparency, accountability, and mutual trust. This is essential not just for the success of this trade fair, but for creating a system that ensures continuity, sustainability, and measurable impact for years to come,” he said.