By Damilola Abiola
Lagos, Nigeria – The Foreign Agricultural Service of the U.S. Mission, in partnership with the California Wine Institute, hosted a high-profile trade promotion event in Lagos, showcasing the diversity and quality of California wines while fostering stronger agricultural trade ties between the two nations.
The event connected 18 California wineries with Nigerian business leaders, providing a platform for over 120 wine importers, distributors, retailers, hospitality industry stakeholders, and wine enthusiasts to explore the expanding market for U.S. wines in Nigeria. Attendees sampled more than 160 award-winning wines, ranging from crisp whites to bold reds, underscoring the growing local appetite for high-quality international wines.
Acting U.S. Consul General JoEllen Gorg emphasized Nigeria’s importance as a key market for U.S. wines, revealing a significant increase in exports.
“Nigeria is the largest market in Africa for U.S. wines, with exports valued at $7.8 million in 2024—a 65% increase from 2023,” Gorg said. “The United States is proud to offer the highest quality products to consumers around the world. California wines represent some of the best, produced by over 5,000 wineries—mostly family-owned, multi-generational businesses.”
The California Wine Institute also hosted a specialized seminar for Nigerian wine importers and leading restaurateurs, highlighting trade opportunities and strategies for market expansion.
Honore Comfort, Vice President for International Marketing at the California Wine Institute, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative.
“We are excited to kick off our 2025 Africa Tasting Tour in Lagos to increase knowledge of and interest in California wines across the continent,” Comfort said.
The 2025 Africa Tasting Tour, supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service, will also make stops in Nairobi, Kenya, and Cape Town, South Africa, further expanding the reach of California wines in Africa.