In a bold step to accelerate franchise development and cross-continental business collaboration, Arravo Technologies Limited and ACR Holdings have announced plans to host the inaugural African-Caribbean Franchise Exhibition (ACFE) in Lagos from July 3 to 5.

Unveiled during a joint press conference in Lagos, the landmark exhibition aims to position over 100 African and Caribbean brands for international growth through franchising, strategic partnerships, and technological innovation. Organised under the auspices of the CEO Drawing Board, a platform created to foster global expansion for African business leaders, the ACFE is expected to attract more than 50 exhibitors, 500 investors, and delegates from over 30 countries.

Speaking at the event, the President of ACR Holdings and convener of the exhibition, Funmi Bajulaiye, described franchising as a globally successful but underutilised model in Africa and the Caribbean. She said the exhibition seeks to close the knowledge gap hindering regional businesses from leveraging franchising to scale their brands beyond local borders.

“Franchising has become a dominant model for business growth globally. Yet, in Africa and the Caribbean, many brands remain unaware or unskilled in franchising processes, not because they lack capacity, but due to a missing piece in structured knowledge,” Bajulaiye said.

According to her, ACFE 2025 will not only showcase investment opportunities but also facilitate knowledge-sharing, mergers, acquisitions, and the expansion of regional brands to new markets, beginning with Saudi Arabia and the Caribbean.

Themed “Driving African-Caribbean Product Market and Branding Expansion through Franchise Development, Alignment and Standardisation”, the three-day event will feature exhibitions, panel discussions, technical workshops, and a gala and award night. It is supported by key partners, including the Pan-African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PACCI), and will bring together policymakers, investors, and franchising stakeholders from both continents.

Chairman of the exhibition and Chief Executive Officer of Arravo Technologies, Dr Ayodeji Adegboye, announced the launch of an AI-powered platform designed to fast-track the franchise due diligence process and ensure seamless transactions. He said the platform, built in alignment with the Africa for African Agenda, integrates financial institutions, escrow services, and legal frameworks to support trust and transparency in franchise deals.

Reflecting on the journey of the initiative, Bajulaiye disclosed that the idea was birthed in 2020 through the CEO Drawing Board conversations, which engaged business owners across Africa and four other continents, with participation from over 100 countries. The dialogues, she said, aimed to shift businesses from mere competition to “co-petition”, a model where collaboration drives cross-border expansion.

She lamented that while Fortune 500 companies have leveraged franchising, mergers, and acquisitions for rapid global growth, African businesses remain mostly uninformed or ill-equipped to do the same.