This year’s IFSEC West Africa will be held in Nigeria, reflecting the country’s place at the very heart of the region’s increasing importance in the global market
The West African region is at a turning point of massive and sustainable economic growth. Well aware of the impact of safety and security on international investment, the Nigerian government recently allocated US$ 5.5bn to safety and security. This substantial investment, which makes up one-fifth of the overall 2012 national budget, is aimed at assisting the country to fulfil its potential as one of the most rapidly growing economic powerhouses in Africa.
IFSEC West Africa 2012, an event organised by UBM Montgomery, returns to the EKO Expo Centre in Lagos from 6-7 March this year - and with Nigeria on the cusp of revolutionising its approach to the security market, the timing could not be better.
“Now in its second year, IFSEC West Africa is a world-class event with an authentically African flavour, capturing the pulse of a vibrant and emerging African business market,” said Ross Cullingworth, Director of Sales for Montgomery Africa (a subsidiary of UBM Montgomery).
The event offers the opportunity for security trade professionals, organisation risk managers, company managing directors and government delegates to meet leading commercial and government security suppliers. Visitors gain the opportunity of networking with industry peers, top international security experts and the chance to view the widest and most comprehensive range of security and fire products from Africa and around the globe.
Exhibitors at the event include a wide range of various security providers that specialise in electronic security, CCTV, access control, physical security, vehicle and personnel tracking devices, armoured vehicles, biometrics, guarding services, fire protection and fire detection.
IFSEC is a global brand responsible for bringing security and fire expos to countries such as India, Arabia, South Africa and now, for the second time, to Nigeria. It meets the needs of both commercial and government buyers from Africa and the rest of the globe. With a history spanning almost four decades in the UK, the organisers of IFSEC, have recognised the demand for this event in West Africa and customised the show to meet the direct and unique needs of this booming African security market.
“The launch of IFSEC West Africa during February 2011, attracted more than 2,000 visitors to the event, and proved that there is a high demand for a security event of this magnitude in the West African region,” said Cullingworth. “For the 2012 event we are proud to bring the Nigerian market some of the biggest global names in security.”
Most of the international players who exhibited at IFSEC West Africa last year have returned for the 2012 event and include names such as Bosch Security Systems, Honeywell, Cross Match Technologies and AxxonSoft. Once again the show has attracted a great deal of South African names as well, including Axis Communications, Centurion Systems, Gunnebo and Inhep Electronic Holdings. The recognition of Nigeria’s rising potential has also attracted new names including Apollo Fire Detectors, Elvey Security Technologies, Turnstar Systems and other companies that are firm fixtures at IFSEC’s South African event. These prestigious names are joined by leading Nigerian companies such as Acti-Tech, Kurrent Resources and City Central Communications.
A Nigerian Security Seminar will form part of IFSEC West Africa, which is tailored specifically towards the West African market. With top international speakers lined up, this seminar will take attendees through some of the most critical factors affecting the security market in West Africa today, including Protecting Critical Infrastructure, City Surveillance and Homeland Security.
“The Homeland Security aspect of this seminar is particularly pertinent to Nigeria and will address delegates representing various government departments in Africa,” said Cullingworth. “It will focus on national resilience, counter-terrorism, border security, national surveillance and policing issues. The Protecting Critical Infrastructure aspect, will address organisations and government department’s preparedness for critical incidents and City Surveillance will address international success stories, while demonstrating how these CCTV developments can be applied to the Nigerian situation as well.
“With the West African region on the cusp of unprecedented growth in the security sector, thousands of savvy security professionals have indentified ISFEC West Africa 2012 as the most direct route-to-source leading products and a solid showcase for a wide-ranging security portfolio. For any security professional, IFSEC West Africa 2012 is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to engage with leading Commercial, Homeland and Fire Protection product and service providers.”
