Thousands of visitors from the continent and around the world are expected to attend Africa’s most exciting security event

Africa has had to overcome many challenges to be seen as a prime investment market. With the growth of the region, there is a stronger focus on security.

IFSEC West Africa 2013 is the upcoming security, fire and safety exhibition, supported by government and top industry associations, incorporating both commercial and homeland security.  Now in its third year, IFSEC West Africa will be held at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos, Nigeria from 5-6 March 2013.

Breaking through political concerns and reports of bribery and corruption, Nigeria has become a headline success story for the West African region, presenting unparalleled opportunities in the security sector. In a January 2012 research report from the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), Nigeria is tipped as an investment hotspot, with burgeoning economic potential reported for the West African region.

Ross Cullingworth, Portfolio Manager at UBM Montgomery West Africa, the organisers of IFSEC West Africa, agrees. “In fact, Nigeria boasts the second largest economy on the continent,” he says. “Our host city Lagos is set to become the third largest city in the world in just over three years and as such has a growing security market.”

Africa is a frontier market, with Nigeria at the nerve centre. According to reports from international investment advisors, Invest AD, Africa has been identified as a better investment opportunity than even the Asian and Latin American markets. While mineral, oil and gas resources have earmarked the West African region for growth, wider prospects are also making it ripe for investment, including infrastructure and security.  IFSEC West Africa 2013 is aimed at those wanting to cater to, and capture, this potential-rich market.

IFSEC has earned an enviable reputation for attracting top-class security professionals who come to meet hundreds of local and international exhibitors under a single comprehensive umbrella event.

IFSEC West Africa 2012 attracted 64% new visitors, of which almost 20% had budgets in excess of $1 million. While almost half the visitors came from Africa, the other half was equally made up of visitors from Asia and Europe. Most visitors came to meet new and existing brands in the supply chain, but even more came to seek new products.

In 2012, IFSEC West Africa logged 1,750 visitors, firmly establishing itself as the premier event that brings an entire security supply chain together.  Overall, the show is gaining traction in the marketplace, with top security brands such as Guardia Systems and Trivest Technologies coming on board as sponsors of the event.

“Security in West Africa is a rapidly growing market with many people drawn to its vast scope and inherent opportunities,” says Cullingworth. “We believe people are starting to see the value of the West African market for both long and short term strategic investment and the interest increases as the market continues to open up.”

The show focuses on popular products, such as CCTV installations and monitoring, access control, intruder alarms, IT security and guarding. It also caters for niche sectors, with sophisticated technology such as RFID and smartcards, night vision optics, counter terrorism and architectural hardware.

The show also covers the broader security topics of Africa, while allowing for exposure in specific categories within the industry. These categories include Integrated Security, IP & Network Solutions, Access Control and CCTV, Intruder Alarms, Counter Terror and Physical Security, Security and Fire Solutions and Homeland Security.

“With expansion comes innovation,” Cullingworth points out, “and a highlight of IFSEC West Africa is the progressive technology and security trends, often seen for the first time at the show. It’s proven to be an ideal time for product launches and interactive marketing campaigns.”

IFSEC West Africa 2013 aims to build on the success of previous events and will include the launch of a dedicated Safety Pavilion, aimed at exhibitors specialising in occupational safety and health (OSH). For health and safety practitioners, the focus on keeping employees safe, productive and educated is vital as legislative requirements become more stringent. Here, visitors can witness firsthand a wide range of innovative safety solutions from industry experts.

“This is a key event for the trade and commercial end-users, offering the ultimate security solutions in the market, with excellent education and networking opportunities,” says Cullingworth. “Security professionals will have access to the West Africa market in a comprehensive, specialised three-day event.”

Over 40% of visitors to last year’s event came from Africa, mostly dynamic professionals looking to make connections and explore opportunities from countries including Egypt, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria and South Africa.

“IFSEC West Africa 2013 unites Africa in its quest to find the most innovative solutions for the future,” says Cullingworth. “As a show of distinction, it strives to offer security professionals and consultants a platform to expand their knowledge and do more with their budgets for the year ahead.”

The show is filled with hundreds of leading local and international suppliers, manufacturers and distributors.

“This is no ordinary trade show,” Cullingworth points out. “Every visitor has a compelling reason to attend, primarily to seek new products and interact with new and existing suppliers. Visitors can also attend a range of educational seminars where a panel of high-profile industry experts answer specific questions on issues ranging from implementation to best practice examples, worldwide case studies and more. Whether you are looking for new contacts or to reconnect with existing ones, IFSEC West Africa brings almost 2,000 like-minded individuals together to meet, network and exchange ideas.”

Visit  www.ifsecwestafrica.com for more information.