The Federal Government has commended Verifair Business Event for launching the 4th Africa International Trade Fair and Conference on paper products, printing and converting, which opened Wednesday in Lagos. Special Adviser to the President on Economic Affairs, Tope Fasua, declared the event open, describing it as a timely initiative aligned with government efforts to reduce plastic use due to environmental concerns. He emphasized that paper remains a durable and resilient medium for preserving history and knowledge, stating digital devices cannot replace paper, books and libraries.
The exhibition, which runs for three days, features over 100 local and international exhibitors showcasing converting machinery and raw materials. Attendance is expected to reach 3,500 trade visitors, with 300 conference delegates participating in discussions on automated paper processing and high-efficiency manufacturing technologies. The theme of the event is "Pulp, Paper & Packaging: Unfolding Future Strategies for Nigeria's Sustainable Industrial Growth & Global Competitiveness."
Layo Okewo, MD/CEO of FAE Limited, called paper "the new gold" and urged Nigerian entrepreneurs to tap into opportunities in paper manufacturing. The show highlights West Africa's shift from consumer market to emerging manufacturing hub, according to Jeen Joshua, Managing Director of Verifair Events. Joshua stated ProPaper Nigeria supports trade expansion and industrial self-reliance through sustainable, environment-safe packaging policies. The Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, served as chief guest at the inauguration.
Market projections indicate Nigeria's tissue and hygiene paper sector could reach $8.96 billion in 2026, with rising demand for paper packaging across West Africa driven by e-commerce growth and urbanization. The event coincides with structural changes in the African paper industry, as noted in data cited by the organizers. Mordor Intelligence provided market analysis on the African packaging sector, though specific figures beyond Nigeria's $8.96 billion projection were not detailed in the release.
Tope Fasua praises paper as a guardian of knowledge while backing a trade fair tied to a $8.96 billion hygiene market, not libraries or archives. The event's focus on industrial packaging and e-commerce demand reveals the real driver behind the government's sudden interest in paper. This is less about preserving history and more about monetizing a plastic alternative with high-profit margins. Nigerian entrepreneurs are being steered toward manufacturing ventures that align with consumption trends, not cultural preservation.
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