Nigeria highlights the new security needs in a changing economic landscape

No country encapsulates the changing economic and social shape of West Africa better than Nigeria. A region rich in oil and natural gas resources, it boasts one of the fast growing economies on the continent with a GDP in excess of $200 billion. With such unprecedented business growth and increased private wealth, security is rapidly becoming a top priority.

Therefore it's no coincidence that the premier security exhibition, IFSEC West Africa 2012, that will take place at the EKO Hotel and Conference Centre in Lagos from 6-7 March 2012, is set to build on the success of the inaugural event in 2011, which attracted over 90 exhibitors and more than 2,200 visitors from Africa, Europe and North America.

Being held in Lagos, the very nerve centre of the West Africa region, IFSEC West Africa is once again poised to become the definitive event for this emerging security market; it will cover aspects of the commercial and government security, as well as the fire and safety market.

According to Ross Cullingworth, Director of Sales and Marketing at UBM Montgomery, a joint venture between event management companies UBM Live and Montgomery Worldwide, "Over the last few years, the West African region has increasingly become a focus for security professionals the world over. We just have to look at the support shown for our first event to see the growing need for an exhibition of this nature."

Those in the security industry—whether as buyers or sellers—are starting to recognise the potential of the region and are geared to explore a rapidly expanding market and lock down lucrative deals and contracts. "It's a market whose time has come," he believes. "The aim of the show is to provide a professional and centralised platform to highlight the untapped potential of this region. We cannot think of a more ideal location than Nigeria to host the event."

Nigeria's private security industry has experienced rapid growth, becoming a major part of the economy. Rising crime, state corruption and conflict in the oil-rich Niger Delta have firmly put security on the agenda. At the same time, the country is producing a new rich elite looking to protect their lifestyles.

"If we take a closer look at the Nigerian market, we can see there is a gap to fill in short and long term security strategies," says Cullingworth. "From private security companies to security products, the need is steadily growing for improved technologies, security services and security management to protect assets, property and people. The kind of growth we're seeing often introduces a state of flux — and there is pressure on government to firm up regulations in the industry, as well as private individuals and companies looking for greater levels of protection and peace of mind."

The need for intrusion detection systems (CCTV, alarm systems, panic alarms, perimeter protection) is just one trend Cullingworth identifies in residential homes. "We also anticipate an increasing demand for access control as end-users become more vigilant and wealth increases," he adds.

In this respect, IFSEC West Africa 2012 will profile top African and international exhibitors in the fields of electronic security and physical security, as well those security providers focused on commercial and business security—vehicle and personnel tracking services, armoured vehicles, scanners, biometrics and guarding services. The international line up for the upcoming event includes well-established brands including Axis Communications, Elvey Security Technologies, Bosch Security, Cross Match Technologies, Honeywell and HIK Vision.

"All in all, the event is a great interactive marketing platform for leading global players to showcase products and services, and generate meaningful marketing leads," he says. "This certainly delivers greater value for visitors and security buyers, as they will be able to experience first-hand the security options available and educate themselves on the latest technology and trends directly impacting the market."

As a globally recognised brand, IFSEC has established premier exhibitions in South Africa and India, along with its flagship event in the UK, attracting more than 25 000 security professionals each year.

Furthermore, the 2012 itinerary includes the free-to-attend IFSEC West Africa Workshop, hosted alongside the exhibition. High-level speakers will deliver keen insight into the security market to an audience of senior management and decision makers from some of Africa and the world's top companies. Speaker themes at the Workshop will include Protecting Critical Infrastructure, City Surveillance and Homeland Security.

IFSEC West Africa 2012 is poised to be the one industry event not to be missed, hosted in one of the most exciting and commercially vibrant cities in Africa. "We're certain that it's going to be another successful highlight on the security calendar," Cullingworth concluded.