Data from an Exhibitions Intelligence report has shown potential growth areas for organisers in Africa.
The trade show market in Sub-Saharan Africa: South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya shows a number of positive underlying trends despite well publicised troubles in the region.
Strengths include a clear move towards democracy across the region; multi party systems have been fl ourishing; and governments have been adopting more prudent fiscal policies designed to manage inflation, the report notes.
Nigeria and Kenya have both seen growth rates in the region of five to seven per cent per annum from 2005 to 2014, despite the challenges.
John Pringle, CEO of Exhibitions Intelligence said: “Development of the middle classes, rising consumer spend, and increased urbanisation is helping steer Sub Saharan economies away from their former dependence on ‘extractive industries’ and towards domestic, demand-driven areas of the economy, including the service sector, banking and telecommunications, the construction sector and infrastructure.
“The clear market leader for tradeshows in the region, Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery, shows that, with the right approach, you can build an attractive, diverse exhibition portfolio across the region. Early into Sub Saharan Africa, Specialised has adopted a country-by-country approach, forming local partnerships or launching where and when appropriate.”
