CAADES Group, UK Entrepreneurs Launch Ikoyi Chapmans

Target Pan-African Beverage Market

A strategic partnership between CAADES Group and British entrepreneurs Mike and Garry Robinson has culminated in the launch of Ikoyi Chapmans, a premium ready-to-drink non-alcoholic beverage that will debut in Nigeria before expanding into other African markets.

The partnership was formalised on Saturday during the signing of a trade and investment agreement at the headquarters of CAADES Group in Lekki, Lagos, where business leaders, investors and industry stakeholders gathered to unveil what the promoters described as an ambitious plan to transform Nigeria’s iconic Chapman drink into a globally recognised beverage brand.

Chairman of CAADES Group, Dr. Chima Anyaso, said the agreement marked the culmination of several years of planning and product development aimed at commercialising one of Nigeria’s best-known beverages while positioning it for international acceptance.

According to him, the partnership extends beyond business, representing an opportunity to showcase Nigerian culture and heritage through a premium consumer product with continental and global appeal.

“Our vision is to make Ikoyi Chapmans a household name across Africa by offering consumers a refreshing beverage that evokes cherished memories while celebrating the richness of the Nigerian experience,” Anyaso said.

He praised the vision and persistence of the brand’s founders, Mike and Garry Robinson, British entrepreneurs who were born and partly raised in Nigeria, saying their deep connection to the country inspired the creation of the product.

Anyaso added: “Although Mike and Garry Robinson are British by nationality, they remain Nigerians at heart. Together, we are committed to reshaping Africa’s beverage industry through innovation, quality and strategic partnerships.”

Explaining the inspiration behind the brand, Mike Robinson said the idea was born out of childhood memories of growing up in Nigeria, where Chapman became one of the family’s favourite drinks.

“Our parents had a wonderful experience living in Nigeria, and as children growing up here, Chapman became one of those unforgettable drinks that stayed with us throughout our lives,” he said.

“It was always our dream to produce it commercially. After leaving school, Garry and I became professional squash players, but the ambition to bring this remarkable drink to a wider audience never left us.”

He recalled that previous attempts to commercialise the beverage had proved unsuccessful because many beverage companies focused on energy drinks and conventional fruit beverages.

“We approached several beverage companies over the years, but many were interested only in energy drinks or conventional fruit drinks. We were offering something completely different—a drink with a unique flavour profile and heritage,” Robinson said.

Following years of product development, the founders secured a manufacturing partnership and introduced the beverage under the Ikoyi Chapmans brand.

The drink is already available in selected bars and hospitality outlets in the United Kingdom, while preparations are underway for its retail rollout across Nigeria.

Also speaking at the ceremony, a core partner in the project, Dr. Efosa Ogbeide, disclosed that the company had developed an extensive pan-African distribution strategy to support its expansion plans.

He said Ikoyi Chapmans would become available in supermarkets, retail outlets, neighbourhood stores and hospitality establishments across Nigeria within the coming weeks before entering other African markets in phases.

Ogbeide also announced plans for a nationwide consumer launch featuring product activations, experiential marketing campaigns, signature serving rituals and cocktail recipes designed to showcase the beverage’s versatility.

According to him, additional product variants and stock-keeping units are already under development to meet the preferences of different consumer groups across the continent.

“Chapman has remained a household name in Nigeria for decades. Ikoyi Chapmans will redefine how consumers enjoy this iconic beverage by delivering a premium ready-to-drink experience suitable for multiple consumption occasions, whether enjoyed on its own or as the perfect base for cocktails,” he said.

The promoters said the beverage draws inspiration from the original Chapman, first created by a bartender at the Ikoyi Club in Lagos in the late 1960s.

They said the new brand seeks to preserve that legacy while introducing a modern, ready-to-drink version tailored for today’s consumers and positioned for expansion across Africa and beyond.