IFSEC West Africa 2013 – All Eyes on Nigeria
UBM Montgomery West Africa highlights opportunities for security professionals on the African continent with the announcement of the third annual IFSEC West Africa to be held in Lagos, Nigeria from 5-6 March 2013.
Africa has had to overcome many challenges to be seen as a prime investment market. Breaking through political concerns and reports of bribery and corruption, Nigeria has become a headline success story for the West African region, presenting unparalleled opportunities in the security sector.
With the growth of the region, there is a stronger focus on security. IFSEC West Africa 2013 is the upcoming security, fire and safety exhibition, supported by government and top industry associations, incorporating both commercial and homeland security. Now in its third year, IFSEC West Africa will once again be held at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos, Nigeria from 5-6 March 2013.
In a January 2012 research report from the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), Nigeria is tipped as an investment hotspot, with burgeoning economic potential reported for the West African region.
Ross Cullingworth, Portfolio Manager at UBM Montgomery West Africa, the organisers of IFSEC West Africa, agrees. “In fact, Nigeria boasts the second largest economy on the continent,” he says. “Our host city Lagos is set to become the third largest city in the world in just over three years and as such has a growing security market.”
Africa is becoming a frontier market, with Nigeria at the nerve centre. According to reports from Invest AD [April, 2012], international investment advisors, Africa has been identified as a better investment opportunity than even the Asian and Latin American markets. While mineral, oil and gas resources have earmarked the West African region for growth, wider prospects are also making it ripe for investment, including infrastructure and security. IFSEC West Africa 2013 is aimed at those wanting to cater to, and capture, this potential-rich market.
Cullingworth goes on to say that the IFSEC brand is fast gaining momentum in Africa, attracting hundreds of local and international exhibiting security brands and thousands of visitors. IFSEC has earned an enviable reputation for attracting top-class security professionals who come to meet hundreds of local and international exhibitors under a single comprehensive umbrella event.
IFSEC West Africa 2012, held in March this year, attracted 64% new visitors, of which almost 20% had budgets in excess of $1 million [R8.4 million]. While almost half the visitors came from Africa, the other half was equally made up of visitors from Asia and Europe. Most visitors came to meet new and existing brands in the supply chain, but even more came to seek new products.
“We believe people are starting to see the value of the West African market for both long and short term strategic investment,” Cullingworth says, “and the interest increases as the market continues to open up.”
The show covers the broader security topics of Africa, while allowing for exposure in specific categories within the industry. These categories include Integrated Security, IP & Network Solutions, Access Control and CCTV, Intruder Alarms, Counter Terror and Physical Security, Security and Fire Solutions and Homeland Security.
“With expansion comes innovation,” Cullingworth points out, “and a highlight of IFSEC West Africa is the progressive technology and security trends, often seen for the first time at the show. It’s proven to be an ideal time for product launches and interactive marketing campaigns.”
The UBM Montgomery West Africa team is excited about the upcoming event as IFSEC West Africa 2013 aims to build on the success of previous events. The 2013 show will include the launch of a dedicated Safety Pavilion, aimed at exhibitors specialising in occupational safety and health (OSH). “The pavilion is perfect for these brands to highlight products and services, as well as provide visitors with information on new standards and best practice,” he says.
“This is a key event for the trade and commercial end-users, offering the ultimate security solutions in the market, with excellent education and networking opportunities,” Cullingworth concluded. “Security professionals will have access to the West Africa market in a comprehensive, specialised three-day event.”
To find out more about exhibiting at IFSEC West Africa, contact:
Jaques Swanepoel, Sales Executive, UBM Montgomery West Africa on jaquessc@specialised.com or v Ross Cullingworth, Portfolio Director, UBM Montgomery on rossc@specialised.com or visit www.ifsecwestafrica.com
www.ifsecwestafrica.com
-ENDS-
Notes to Editor
About UBM Montgomery West Africa
UBM Montgomery is a joint venture between UBM Live and Montgomery Worldwide.
About UBM Live
Operating internationally, UBM Live operates a number of market leading exhibitions, awards, websites/online products and publications in twenty different business sectors.
UBM organises more than 300 events in 21 countries and is the leading global provider of security events and media. The IFSEC security exhibitions in the Africa, Arabia, India and the UK consistently attract more than 1,000 manufacturers and distributors and 42,000 security professionals annually
Its brands include CPhI, IFSEC, Food Ingredients. Cruise Shipping Miami, Technology for Marketing and Advertising, International Confex, Informex and many more. With offices in the UK, Netherlands, USA, UAE and Brazil, UBM Live has successfully geo-cloned its leading CPhI, Food Ingredients, TFM&A and IFSEC brands into territories such as China, Japan, Asia, Eastern Europe, South America and Africa. As well as building relationships with our customers, we help wider communities through our corporate responsibility programme.
UBM Live is part of UBM Ltd, a leading global media company listed on the London Stock Exchange, which in 2009 generated revenues of £847m, with profits of £171.2m.
