A new premium ready-to-drink non-alcoholic beverage, Ikoyi Chapmans, has officially launched in Nigeria following a strategic partnership between Nigerian investment firm CAADES Group and two British entrepreneurs of Nigerian heritage.
The partnership, unveiled at CAADES Group’s headquarters in Lekki, Lagos, aims to transform Nigeria’s iconic Chapman drink into a globally recognised beverage brand, with expansion plans across Africa.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr Chima Anyaso, Chairman of the CAADES Group, described the venture as the culmination of years of planning to elevate a uniquely Nigerian beverage into an internationally competitive consumer brand.
According to him, the partnership extends beyond commercial objectives, serving as a platform to celebrate Nigerian culture while building a premium African beverage brand for global markets.
The brand was founded by brothers Mike and Garry Robinson, British entrepreneurs who were born and partly raised in Nigeria. They said the idea for Ikoyi Chapmans was inspired by childhood memories and a desire to preserve one of Nigeria’s most popular non-alcoholic drinks.
“Our parents had a wonderful experience living in Nigeria, and Chapman became one of those unforgettable drinks that stayed with us throughout our lives,” Mike Robinson said.
“It was always our dream to produce it commercially. Although we later became professional squash players, the ambition to bring this remarkable drink to a wider audience never left us.”
Robinson explained that previous efforts to commercialise the product were unsuccessful because many beverage companies were focused on energy drinks and conventional fruit beverages rather than a heritage-inspired product.
Following years of product development, the brothers secured a manufacturing partnership and launched Ikoyi Chapmans in the United Kingdom, where it is already available in selected bars and hospitality outlets.
The company plans to begin distribution across supermarkets, hotels, restaurants and neighbourhood retail outlets in Nigeria within weeks before expanding into other African markets.
A core partner in the project, Dr. Efosa Ogbeide, said the company has developed a pan-African distribution strategy to support the brand’s regional expansion.
He disclosed that preparations are underway for a nationwide consumer launch featuring product activations, experiential marketing campaigns, signature serving rituals and cocktail recipes designed to showcase the drink’s versatility.
Ogbeide added that additional product variants and packaging sizes are also being developed to meet the preferences of different consumer segments across Africa.
“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,” he said.
The company said the beverage draws inspiration from the original Chapman, first created at the Ikoyi Club in Lagos in the late 1960s. It is produced without artificial colours or preservatives and is both gluten-free and vegan-friendly, making it suitable for standalone consumption as well as cocktail preparation.
The launch reflects growing investor interest in premium African consumer brands with export potential, as companies increasingly seek to commercialise products rooted in local culture for regional and international markets.
