PROPAK WEST AFRICA CONFERENCE TO DELIVER PRACTICAL INSIGHTS FOR WEST AFRICA’S PRODUCTION AND PACKAGING PROFESSIONALS

West Africa’s packaging and print sectors are changing fast. Driven by booming consumer markets, automation, and green solutions, regional manufacturers must boost productivity to survive. Survival now dictates a sharp focus on productivity and operational competitiveness. Beyond acquiring next-generation machinery, print and packaging businesses must adopt practical, proven strategies to optimize day-to-day operations and secure future growth. That is why, in this fast-evolving landscape, making informed investment decisions is critical to packaging and print businesses who face an urgent choice to adapt or get left behind. To help you navigate this shift, WHERE To Print magazine brings you an exclusive preview of the forthcoming PROPAK West Africa 2026. Adapted from the official Montgomery Group Africa press release, this SPECIAL PREVIEW highlights how the premier regional exhibition and its upcoming summit provide the exact tools, machinery insights, and operational strategies your business needs to grow.

WHAT MAKES A PRINTING COMPANY IMPOSSIBLE TO REPLACE?

THE SANITY SHIFT: WHY MARGINS MATTER MORE THAN MACHINERY

The packaging industry across West Africa continues to evolve, driven by expanding consumer markets, rising demand for more efficient and sustainable packaging solutions, and advances in automation and digital technologies. As manufacturers respond to these changing market dynamics, improving productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness has become an increasing priority.

In this rapidly changing environment, informed decision-making is more important than ever. Beyond evaluating new equipment and technologies, businesses are seeking practical insights and proven strategies to help optimise operations, address emerging challenges and prepare for future growth.

© PROPAK West Africa – PROPAK West Africa is a leading meeting place for West Africa’s packaging and manufacturing industries.

Providing a platform to address these opportunities and challenges, PROPAK West Africa returns to the Landmark Centre in Lagos, Nigeria, from 8 to 10 September, bringing together suppliers, manufacturers and industry professionals from across the packaging, plastics, print, labelling and food processing sectors. The exhibition provides a valuable opportunity to explore the latest machinery, materials and technologies, compare solutions firsthand, and engage directly with technical specialists and industry experts.

PROPAK West Africa Summit

© PROPAK West Africa – The PROPAK West Africa Summit will include a dynamic mix of keynote presentations, expert panels, and interactive workshops.

Complementing the exhibition, visitors will also have access to the PROPAK West Africa Summit. The conference programme has been developed specifically for production and packaging professionals across the region. Bringing together decision-makers and technical leads from West African manufacturing sectors, the conference will present a dynamic mix of keynote presentations, expert panels, interactive workshops, and industry case studies. It will also spotlight transformative packaging and processing technologies, market trends, and sustainability practices shaping the region’s industrial growth.

© PROPAK West Africa – Top-tier industry experts to help your business optimize today’s production and prepare for tomorrow’s growth.

The Director General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Segun Ajayi-Kadir, will deliver a welcome address at the Opening Ceremony on the first day of the conference. Alexander Gendis, CEO of Beta Glass, has been confirmed as a keynote speaker. Both speakers reinforce the event’s importance within the region’s manufacturing and packaging sectors.

A key highlight of the third day will be the industry stakeholder session hosted by the Recycling Association of Nigeria (RAN) titled: ‘From Market Placement to Material Recovery: Closing the Data Gap in Nigeria’s Circular Packaging Value Chain.’ This high-level discussion will convene stakeholders across the packaging ecosystem to address the disconnect between packaging introduced into the market and materials actually recovered within Nigeria’s recycling infrastructure.

Other speakers include Dr. Markus Grumann, who is the Managing Director at Miho Inspection Systems; Titus Gado, Manufacturing Director at Chi Limited; Prof. Olugbenga Ogunmoyela, President at Consumer Advocacy for Food Safety and Nutrition Initiative (CAFSANI); A’rese Lucia Onaghise, Executive Director at Food & Beverage Recycling Alliance; and Saheed Kareem, who is the Factory Engineering Manager at Nestle.

The PROPAK West Africa Summit is free-to-attend, but delegates need to book in advance. The KPMG Breakfast Session on the second day is by invitation only.

Leading meeting place for industry

Bringing together international technology providers, regional manufacturers and industry organisations, PROPAK West Africa continues to strengthen its position as a leading meeting place for West Africa’s packaging and manufacturing industries. Beyond showcasing the latest innovations in packaging, plastics, print, labelling and food processing, the exhibition provides opportunities for technology transfer, business networking, industry partnerships and knowledge sharing, while its growing collaboration with sustainability and recycling organisations reflects the increasing focus on circular economy initiatives and responsible manufacturing across the region.

© PROPAK West Africa – Mark Anderson, Portfolio Director at Montgomery Group Africa

“The pace of change within the manufacturing and packaging sectors means businesses need access not only to the latest technologies, but also to the knowledge, partnerships and practical insights that support informed decision-making,” says Mark Anderson, Portfolio Director at Montgomery Group Africa, organisers of the show. “PROPAK West Africa is designed to connect global and local solution providers with local industry, creating opportunities for businesses to discover new technologies, exchange ideas and build valuable partnerships. By combining a comprehensive exhibition with a practical, industry-focused conference, the show offers visitors the opportunity to discover new technologies, learn from industry experts and build valuable business connections – all in one place.”

PROPAK WEST AFRICA 2026 EXHIBITORS’ PREVIEW

DISCOVER WHAT TOP EXHIBITORS ARE LAUNCHING IN LAGOS

As PROPAK West Africa 2026 approaches, global and regional exhibitors are preparing to showcase groundbreaking industrial solutions. From 8–10 September 2026 at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos, Nigeria, attendees will experience the future of automated manufacturing, heavy-duty processing, high-speed printing, and raw materials. Here is an exclusive preview of leading exhibitors and their core focus areas on the exhibition floor made up of:

Smart Processing Machinery: Automated lines for food, beverage, and consumer goods packaging.
Plastics & Recycling Technology: Circular economy innovations and polymer processing equipment.
Advanced Printing Solutions: Coding, marking, and labeling tech especially for regulatory compliance and branding.

Key Offerings from Official Sponsors

GDXL Precise Machinery Co., LTD (Stand 4B04): Offering specialized, high-precision PET blow molds engineered for high-speed beverage and consumer goods production lines.
Neofyton (Stand 1H01): Partnering with brands like ENGEL, PIOVAN, OERLIKON HR FLOW, WINTEC, and FRIGEL among others, Neofyton will be delivering world-leading, automated, and energy-efficient injection molding machines and auxiliary equipment alongside complete system integrations for plastic manufacturing.
SACMI Imola SC (Stand 1B09): Leading the beverage and rigid packaging landscape with advanced compression molding technologies and high-efficiency beverage bottling lines.
UFLEX LTD (Engineering Division) (Stand 3F09): Providing global-standard flexible packaging materials, laminated films, and anti-counterfeiting brand protection solutions.

From Partners

New Lord Nigeria LTD: is one of Nigeria’s most reputed providers of customised, scalable, and reliable power quality and power protection solutions.
Beaumont Nigeria (Stand 1F05): is a technical company that provides premium and cost-effective industrial products for air handling, warehousing, chilling, and plastic moulding solutions, along with after-sales maintenance.

SPECIAL FEATURE ON PROPAK WEST AFRICA 2026 DAILY SPONSORS EXHIBITING AT PROPAK WEST AFRICA 2026

FOTEDAR CHAMPIONS SUSTAINABLE AUTOMATION AT PROPAK WEST AFRICA (Stand 2G06)

CEO, Mr. Vikram Fotedar

Driven by a mission to deliver exceptional stakeholder experiences through technologically advanced and sustainable solutions, Fotedar Engineering Services, headquartered in India, is bringing its proven track record to its Stand 2G06 at PROPAK West Africa 2026 via its regional subsidiary, Lagos-based Fotedar West Africa. Following sustained success at PROPAK East Africa in Kenya, Managing Director Mr. Vikram Fotedar confirmed to WHERE To Print magazine that expanding their exhibition footprint into West Africa reflects a core commitment to bringing global technologies directly to African converters. “Having built strong relationships through PROPAK East Africa, we see similar momentum in the West,” Mr. Fotedar noted. “There is rising investment in flexible packaging, corrugation, and label converting, driven by the expansion of the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), food & beverage, and consumer goods sectors. PROPAK West Africa gives us the ideal platform to connect with converters and demonstrate how our solutions help them stay competitive.”

© UTECO flexo press – OnyxRACE

© ZHOUTAI pouch making equipment

Visitors to the Fotedar West Africa Stand 2G06 can expect a fully integrated flexographic printing and converting ecosystem. Rather than displaying standalone machinery, the exhibit showcases how industry giants work in harmony: UTECO presses, Erhardt+Leimer (E+L) automation, Heliograph Engravers and Plate Making Solutions, and Zhoutai pouching equipment. According to Mr. Fotedar, this unified approach directly addresses localized industry bottlenecks. “West African converters are grappling with rising raw material costs, tighter quality demands from brand owners, frequent job changes, and a shortage of skilled manpower,” he explained. “UTECO’s presses cut changeover time and setup waste; E+L’s web guiding and inspection systems minimize errors and downtime; Heliograph delivers the highest standards in print form production; and Zhoutai rounds out the line with reliable, high-throughput finishing.”

NIGERIA’S PREMIUM PACKAGING LEADER SHOWCASES LUXURY FINISHES AND SECURITY SOLUTIONS (Stand 1A10)

Group Managing Director, Mr. Binod Mohapatra

Looking for premium, secure packaging solutions in Nigeria? Look no further, as Print Box Nigeria Limited is showcasing how specialized embellishments can give your mono-cartons a true luxury feel at this year’s PROPAK West Africa.

The specialist premium packaging solutions provider is introducing a suite of specialized embellishments designed to give mono-cartons a luxury feel, from hot foil stamping and embossing to spot UV and soft-touch laminations; Print Box finishes ensure your brand stands out on retail shelves.

At the company’s exhibition Stand 1A10, visitors can explore premium finishing options including hot and cold foil stamping, embossing, debossing, spot UV, soft-touch lamination, and specialty varnishes. According to Group Managing Director Mr. Binod Mohapatra, these premium finishes are engineered to create “luxurious packaging that stands out on retail shelves.”

© Print Box Nigeria LTD – Industrial Labels

© Print Box Nigeria LTD – Mono-Cartons

© Print Box Nigeria LTD – Printed Inserts

© Print Box Nigeria LTD – Self-Adhesive Labels

© Print Box Nigeria LTD – Shrink Sleeves

© Print Box Nigeria LTD – Specialty Packaging

In addition to aesthetics, Mr. Mohapatra highlighted the advanced anti-counterfeiting measures the ISO & FSSC-certified company integrates into medical/ pharmaceutical boxes and labels production. In order to protect brands from counterfeiting, the company offers multiple security features, including tamper-evident labels, security printing, micro-text, sequential numbering, QR codes, and holographic elements. This is because the premium packaging specialist believes packaging isn’t just about looks—it’s also about meeting stringent health, safety, and security requirements. That is why it integrates advanced anti-counterfeiting measures like micro-text, holographic elements, tamper-evident seals, sequential numbering, QR codes, etc to protect pharmaceutical and medical brands. Visit Stand 1A10 to explore Print Box Nigeria Limited’s full range of luxury and secure packaging solutions!

NILPETER TO SHOWCASE NEXT-GEN FLEXO SOLUTIONS AT PROPAK WEST AFRICA 2026 (Stand 3A17)

Area Manager, Mr. Thomas Andersen, and

Regional Business Manager, Mr. Manu Muraleekrishnan

Nilpeter, the leader in next-generation flexo technology, will showcase its comprehensive range of high-performance labels and flexible packaging solutions at Stand 3A17. Area Manager Thomas Andersen and Regional Business Manager Manu Muraleekrishnan will be on-site to directly connect with current and prospective customers looking for opportunities to explore new production milestones for high-value print applications and discuss growth strategies.

Nilpeter presses’ core strengths lie in delivering premium print quality across diverse substrates, with presses engineered for high-value applications including self-adhesive labels, shrink sleeves, wrap-around labels, pouches, and tube laminates. And as West Africa’s packaging landscape evolves, this year, the spotlight is on the Nilpeter FB-Line PRO, which combines advanced automation, top-tier print quality, and production flexibility to help West African converters grow profitably. Additionally, the company will highlight its wider-web flexo solutions featuring water-based and solvent-based hot air drying technologies, designed to maximize production efficiency while meeting modern food packaging standards.

In a nutshell, African converters, printers, and packaging specialists at Nilpeter’s Stand 3A17 should expect the following key highlights:

The West African Spotlight of FB-Line PRO: A deep dive into the iconic Nilpeter FB-Line PRO. This press integrates advanced automation and production flexibility specifically designed and engineered to scale and maximise profitable growth for West African converters.
Premium Multi-Substrate Printing/ Versatility: Proofs of premium print quality across diverse applications including self-adhesive labels, shrink sleeves, wrap-around labels, pouches, and tube laminates.
Wider-Web Efficiency for Sustainability & Scale: Showcasing wider-web flexo solutions built with water-based and solvent-based hot air drying technologies, striking the perfect balance between high production efficiency and modern food packaging compliance.

RANDOMSOFT PRESENTS DIFFERENT APPROACH TO LOCAL SUPPORT (3A05)

Randomsoft LTD Technical Director, Mr. Olakunle Ogunjobi

PROPAK West Africa new entrant, Randomsoft Limited, understands that industrial downtime isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a direct hit to the business bottom line. That is why Mr. Olakunle Ogunjobi-led Randomsoft stands out through a commitment to minimizing costly production downtime. “Our philosophy is simple: every hour of production downtime has a measurable financial cost,” Mr. Ogunjobi explains. And that is what sets them apart: a relentless focus on keeping your machines moving.

Accordingly, at Stand 3A05, West African converters, printers, and packaging professionals will discover how Randomsoft Limited bridges the gap between world-class standards and local efficiency. Representing premier global brands—including Dantex Group, VIP Systems, Macarbox, General Inkjet Printing, The Flexo Company, Mark Andy, Tesa, Domino, NBG Printographic Machinery, and Harkom, among others—Randomsoft LTD also stands out through its unique market approach. “With a dedicated local technical support structure in Nigeria, we resolve issues rapidly via remote diagnostics, phone support, and rapid-response on-site engineering. We target critical issues immediately and run preventive maintenance programmes to stop breakdowns before they happen. Ultimately, we don’t just repair equipment; we keep our customers producing efficiently, maximizing their current investments while preparing them for future growth through strategic technology upgrades,” Ogunjobi highlights while urging African investors within the manufacturing space to stop by Stand 3A05 to maximize their current investments and plan their next strategic technology upgrades.

Position your business for growth at PROPAK West Africa 2026. This is your chance to connect, negotiate, and secure direct deals with leading OEMs, authorized representatives, and global suppliers. Fast-track your competitive edge by registering for free today at www.propakwestafrica.com.

As Official Media Partners, the WHERE To Print Magazine Team will be live on-site producing the PROPAK West Africa 2026 DAILY. Look out for our daily editions for exclusive insights straight from the exhibition floor!

Please note: Stand locations are correct at the time of printing. For the most up-to-date layout and event details, please visit the PROPAK West Africa website at www.propakwestafrica.com.