New Alliance Announces Ikoyi Chapmans as Key to Continent-Wide Growth

A new premium ready-to-drink non-alcoholic beverage, Ikoyi Chapmans, is poised to enter the Nigerian market, with plans for expansion across Africa, following a strategic partnership between its promoters and CAADES Group, which was formally unveiled on Saturday.

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This partnership was sealed during a trade and investment agreement signing ceremony held at the CAADES Group headquarters in Lekki, Lagos, attended by business leaders, investors, industry stakeholders, and members of the media.

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Chairman of CAADES Group, Dr. Chima Anyaso, stated that the initiative is the culmination of several years of planning aimed at transforming one of Nigeria’s most iconic beverages into a globally recognised consumer brand.

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According to Dr. Anyaso, the partnership seeks not only to commercialise the beverage but also to promote Nigerian culture while building a world-class African brand, with the goal of making Ikoyi Chapmans a household name across Africa.

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Dr. Anyaso praised the vision of British entrepreneurs Mike Robinson and Garry Robinson, who were born and partly raised in Nigeria, noting that their childhood experiences inspired the creation of the beverage, which is an iconic drink that deserves global recognition.

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The Robinson brothers developed a lifelong appreciation for the traditional Nigerian Chapman, which they describe as a unique drink that has stayed with them throughout their lives, and they are committed to reshaping Africa’s beverage industry through innovation, quality, and strategic partnerships.

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Mike Robinson explained that nostalgia and a desire to preserve one of Nigeria’s unique beverage traditions motivated the project, recalling that his parents had a wonderful experience living in Nigeria, where Chapman became one of those unforgettable drinks.

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After leaving school, the Robinson brothers became professional squash players, but their ambition to bring Chapman to a wider audience never faded, and they eventually secured a manufacturing partnership to launch the beverage under the Ikoyi Chapmans brand.

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The company has announced that the product is already available in selected bars and hospitality outlets in the United Kingdom, with plans for widespread retail distribution across Nigeria before expanding into other African markets.

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Dr. Efosa Ogbeide, a core partner in the project, revealed that the company has concluded plans for a comprehensive pan-African distribution strategy, which will make the beverage available in supermarkets, retail outlets, hospitality establishments, and neighbourhood stores across Nigeria within weeks.

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Preparations are also underway for a nationwide consumer launch featuring product activations, experiential marketing campaigns, signature serving rituals, and innovative cocktail recipes to showcase the versatility of the beverage, according to Dr. Ogbeide.

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Additional product variants and stock-keeping units are already under development to meet the preferences of different consumer segments across Africa, with the goal of redefining how consumers enjoy the iconic Chapman beverage.

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The story of Ikoyi Chapmans dates back to the late 1960s at the prestigious Ikoyi Club in Lagos, where the original Chapman was first created by a bartender, and the beverage is a premium sparkling citrus-flavoured drink blended with natural bitters.

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The product is produced without artificial colours or preservatives, is gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and suitable for consumption on its own or as a base for a variety of cocktails, according to the company.