By Yunus S Saliu
The upcoming edition of the West Africa Food Festival (WAFFEST), to be hosted in The Gambia from October 15 to 21, 2026, is expected to bring together participants from across West Africa and beyond through food, culture, and the exchange of talents.
The Gambia Chefs Association, in collaboration with key partners, recently held a press conference at the Gambia Tourism and Hospitality Institute (GTHI) in Kanifing to update the public on preparations for the festival.
The briefing provided an opportunity for organisers and partners to highlight progress made so far, challenges encountered and the way forward as preparations intensify for the regional culinary event.
Speaking at the press conference held on Tuesday at the GTHI Conference Hall, Momodou Lamin Singhateh, Director General of GTHI, described WAFFEST as an important platform that brings citizens from different West African countries and beyond together as one family through food, culture and the sharing of talents.
He said the Government of The Gambia, through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, had been committed from the outset to ensuring that the country successfully hosts the festival.
“WAFFEST is coming home,” DG Singhateh said, recalling The Gambia’s participation in the Akwaaba Travel Market in 2019, where Gambian chef Ida Jeng of Yabouy Home Cooking emerged winner of a Jollof Rice competition.
He said The Gambia therefore had previous experience in regional culinary competitions and was well positioned to host WAFFEST.
“WAFFEST is not new to us. We have been there before, and currently, The Gambia is the crowned champion of the 2025 Jollof Rice Competition held in Ghana,” he added.
According to him, the hosting of WAFFEST provides an opportunity for The Gambia to showcase its culinary heritage, hospitality and cultural diversity while strengthening connections with other countries through food.
Also speaking at the event, Yusupha Keita of the International Trade Centre (ITC) Gambia reaffirmed his institution’s commitment to supporting WAFFEST Gambia 2026.
He said ITC Gambia would continue to support initiatives that contribute to national development, particularly those that create opportunities for young people.
He noted that hosting the festival could further promote The Gambia as a tourism destination while contributing to economic development through the hospitality, food and tourism sectors.
Keita commended the various stakeholders involved in organising WAFFEST for their dedication and commitment, noting that preparations were advancing as the festival drew closer.
He assured the organisers of ITC Gambia’s continued support towards the successful hosting of WAFFEST Gambia 2026.
Ellen Johnson, Chairperson of WAFFEST Gambia 2026, chaired the press conference.
The festival is expected to provide a platform for chefs, culinary professionals, food producers and other stakeholders to showcase West Africa’s rich food traditions while promoting cultural exchange and tourism.