Nigeria has emerged winner of the Africa Jollof Wars 3.0, beating Ghana and Senegal in the culinary competition held during the Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX WKND) 2026 in Lagos.

The victory gives Nigeria another opportunity to claim bragging rights in West Africa’s long-running jollof rivalry, although the debate over which country makes the best version of the popular rice dish is unlikely to end with the competition.

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Beyond the friendly national rivalry, the event also highlighted the economic potential of African food and gastronomy as part of the continent’s growing creative and cultural industries.

Organised under the CANEX platform, the competition forms part of the African Export-Import Bank’s (Afreximbank) broader efforts to support creative businesses and expand opportunities for African cultural products in international markets.

By bringing national cuisines into the spotlight, the Jollof Wars showcase how food can serve as more than a cultural symbol.

The sector also has potential to create jobs, support businesses and open up new opportunities for trade and investment.

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Nigeria’s win over Ghana and Senegal therefore adds a competitive highlight to an event that seeks to demonstrate the commercial value of Africa’s cultural identity and creative talent.