CAADES Group has partnered with UK entrepreneurs Mike and Garry Robinson as part of a broader strategy to expand across Africa through the launch of Ikoyi Chapmans, a premium ready-to-drink non-alcoholic beverage inspired by Nigeria’s iconic Chapman drink.

The partnership was formalised during a trade and investment agreement signing ceremony held on Saturday at the headquarters of CAADES Group in Lekki, Lagos. The event brought together business leaders, investors and industry stakeholders to witness the unveiling of the beverage, which is expected to debut in Nigeria before expanding into other African markets.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of CAADES Group, Dr. Chima Anyaso, said the collaboration marked the culmination of years of planning aimed at transforming one of Nigeria’s most recognisable beverages into a globally competitive consumer brand.

According to him, the partnership is more than a commercial venture, as it seeks to celebrate Nigerian culture while building a world-class African beverage brand.

“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 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.”

Anyaso commended the Robinson brothers, who were born and partly raised in Nigeria, noting that their childhood experiences inspired the creation of the brand.

Explaining the inspiration behind Ikoyi Chapmans, Mike Robinson said the idea was driven by nostalgia and a desire to preserve one of Nigeria’s unique beverage traditions.
“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.

“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.”

Robinson said several beverage companies had previously shown little interest in the concept because they focused primarily on energy drinks and conventional fruit beverages.

“We were offering something completely different—a drink with a unique flavour profile and heritage,” he said.

Following years of product development, the Robinson brothers secured a manufacturing partnership and launched Ikoyi Chapmans in the United Kingdom, where it is already available in selected bars and hospitality outlets. Plans are now underway for retail distribution across Nigeria before expansion into other African markets.

Also speaking, a core partner in the project, Dr. Efosa Ogbeide, said the company had developed a pan-African distribution strategy that would see the product available in supermarkets, retail outlets, hospitality establishments and neighbourhood stores across Nigeria within weeks.

He added that preparations were underway for a nationwide consumer launch featuring product activations, experiential marketing campaigns, signature serving rituals and cocktail recipes, while additional product variants were being developed to cater to different consumer preferences.

“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,” Ogbeide said.

The brand traces its inspiration to the original Chapman, first created at the Ikoyi Club in Lagos in the late 1960s, with its promoters aiming to preserve the beverage’s heritage while positioning it as a premium African brand for regional and global markets.