Maxima Media Group officially launched the Foodies Choice Awards on July 17, 2026, establishing a new Pan-African platform for consumer-driven recognition in the food and agriculture sector. This initiative allows consumers to nominate and vote for excellence across the continent's food value chain, starting in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda.
The awards aim to celebrate governments, farmers, agribusinesses, chefs, food brands, hospitality operators, media personalities, and innovators shaping Africa’s food economy. This launch coincides with Ghana's renewed focus on agriculture as a key driver of economic growth and food security. The government has prioritised investments in food production, agro-processing, and value addition.
Ghana's agricultural sector contributes approximately one-fifth of the national GDP and employs a significant portion of the workforce. It also generates substantial export earnings from commodities like cocoa and horticulture. The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts has also promoted Ghanaian cuisine as a strategic tourism asset, exemplified by the 2026 Afro-Gastro Festival.
Oluwafemi Ogundoro, Group Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Maxima Media Group, stated that Africa’s food economy is projected to reach US$1 trillion by 2030. He described the awards as a transformational milestone, empowering consumers to influence how excellence is recognised. This platform seeks to celebrate credibility and inspire excellence within the food ecosystem.
To ensure transparency and international best practices, Maxima Media Group appointed KPMG as the official Assurance Partner for the Foodies Choice Awards. KPMG, a leading professional services firm, will independently oversee the nomination, validation, and public voting processes across all participating countries. This partnership aims to guarantee the integrity, credibility, and transparency of every stage of the awards.
Michellee Fox, Chief Operating Officer of Maxima Media Group, emphasised that credibility is the foundation of the platform. She stated that appointing KPMG demonstrates an unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and international standards. This provides confidence that recognition on this platform is genuinely earned.
The awards will recognise excellence across 50 categories within six major sector verticals, including Agriculture, Chef and Culinary, Tourism and Hospitality, Food Brands, Media, and Food Support Services. Consumers and food enthusiasts can now submit nominations at www.thefcawards.com. The inaugural awards ceremony will take place in Lagos, Nigeria, in November, bringing together government leaders, policymakers, investors, and industry professionals.
The event is expected to highlight the significant economic potential of Africa's food sector. It will also showcase the continent's diverse culinary heritage and the innovations driving its growth. The awards represent a significant step towards formalising consumer recognition within a vital economic sector.