Naija Market Day Targets 2026 Expansion: Bridging African Businesses Globally

Naija Market Day, a fast-growing Pan-African market platform, said its 2026 ambition was to position itself as a strategic bridge between Nigeria, Africa, and North America. This move, according to the firm, is sequel to its successful rollout across multiple cities in North America, particularly Canada, even as Africa’s creative and entrepreneurial economy continues to gain global attention. From its humble beginnings as a community-focused Nigerian market, Naija Market Day has grown into a continental-facing economic platform, hosting about 15 large-scale markets across different North American cities, with Canada serving as a major base for its operations and innovation. Abiodun Adetu, founder and convener, Naija Market Day, said the platform was never just about selling products for one day, but it was designed as a long-term economic vehicle, one that helps African entrepreneurs build visibility, access new markets, and scale beyond borders. According to Adetu, Canada has emerged as a critical testing ground for Naija Market Day’s expansion model, adding that Markets held across several Canadian cities have attracted thousands of attendees and hundreds of African-owned businesses spanning food, fashion, beauty, arts, and creative industries. “These markets have delivered consistent results: sold-out vendor booths, increased brand recognition for small businesses, and growing interest from corporate institutions and public-sector stakeholders seeking to engage Africa-focused entrepreneurs,” she said. Adetu noted that for many vendors, Naija Market Day has served as a first point of entry into structured retail, helping informal businesses transition into registered and scalable enterprises. On building a pipeline for Small Business Growth, the founder of the Pan-African market platform said that, unlike traditional cultural festivals, Naija Market Day operates as a business development platform. “Beyond physical markets, the initiative provides training, workshops, and mentorship opportunities focused on financial literacy, compliance, branding, and market expansion”. “This model has allowed participating businesses to move from local sales to regional distribution, wholesale opportunities, and cross-border conversations—particularly between Canada and Nigeria,” “The diaspora is a powerful economic force. When properly organised, it can drive trade, investment, and skills transfer back to Nigeria and the African continent,” Adetu said. Commenting on Government recognition and institutional support, Adetu said the growing impact of Naija Market Day has earned it recognition from municipal and provincial governments, as well as awards from community and business organisations across North America. She further said that Government agencies have partnered with the platform to support immigrant entrepreneurship, cultural inclusion, and local economic development, while financial institutions and corporate bodies have leveraged the markets as engagement points with African communities. These partnerships have strengthened Naija Market Day’s credibility and positioned it as a viable stakeholder in diaspora-led economic development conversations. On how the platform hopes to strengthen Nigeria Diaspora trade links, Abiodun Adetu, said that a core focus of Naija Market Day’s next phase is deepening Nigeria–diaspora trade and export readiness. She pointed out that by preparing African-owned businesses in North America to meet international standards, the platform aims to facilitate smoother access to Nigerian and African markets, while also supporting Nigeria-made products seeking global visibility. “This approach aligns with broader national and continental goals around export diversification, SME development, and diaspora engagement as drivers of economic growth,” she said. Adetu said that as it prepares for 2026, Naija Market Day plans to expand into new North American cities, introduce sector-focused markets, and scale its training and virtual workshop offerings to reach entrepreneurs across borders. “A flagship initiative slated for launch in 2026 is the Naija Market Day Powerlist, a curated directory of over 1000 African entrepreneurs across North America. The Powerlist is expected to serve as a visibility and collaboration tool for investors, policymakers, and trade stakeholders seeking credible African-owned businesses in the diaspora. “Our goal for 2026 is scale with structure; we want to build systems that allow African businesses to compete globally while remaining rooted in culture and community.” The founder said that as conversations around Africa’s global economic relevance continue to evolve, Naija Market Day stands out as an example of how culture-driven platforms can translate into measurable economic outcomes. “With a growing footprint, government recognition, and a clear trade-focused vision, the initiative is redefining what diaspora-led development can look like—one market, one city, and one entrepreneur at a time,” she added.