The West Africa Food Festival (WAFFEST) 2026 is currently underway in Banjul, Gambia, having commenced on 15 October and scheduled to conclude on 21 October 2026. A Nigerian delegation consisting of over 40 professionals led by Chef Mekwuye Eric is representing the country at the event. Dapo Majekodunmi, managing director and chief executive officer of Valujet Airlines, stated, "The partnership with the chefs’ association for the festival is in line with its core values of showcasing the best of the country and service excellence beyond the country’s borders." The participants are engaging in a series of culinary displays throughout the remainder of the week as part of the regional gathering.
Nigeria's Culinary Professional Representation
The Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria (APCN) serves as the primary body for culinary experts across more than 21 states in Nigeria. Mekwuye Eric, the national president of the APCN, says the organization is leveraging its presence at the West Africa Food Festival to expand its influence.
Mekwuye Eric stated, "With the festival, the registered professional body representing chefs, cooks, and culinary professionals across over 21 states in Nigeria, is going beyond its objective of promoting professionalism, culinary excellence, food safety, and indigenous cuisines to promoting Nigeria on a global scale using through cuisines." This participation aligns with the group's mandate to represent practitioners from diverse regions while elevating the profile of national culinary traditions on an international stage.
Airline Partnership for Delegation
Value Jet serves as the official airline partner for the Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria delegation traveling to the festival in Banjul. The transport arrangement facilitates the movement of the culinary team from their base in Nigeria to the event venue in Gambia.
Historical records for the West Africa Food Festival indicate a rotation of host nations over the last three years. Nigeria hosted the regional gathering in 2023, followed by Togo in 2024 and Ghana in 2025. These previous iterations established the operational framework for the current event.
Organizers report that delegates from 35 countries are expected to attend the 2026 festival. This participation level represents the international scope of the event as chefs and culinary professionals from across the continent convene to exchange expertise and showcase regional traditions.