AI to transform cake businesses as ICES Nigeria announces 2026 Expo 

The International Cake Exploration Society (ICES) Nigeria has unveiled the theme for its highly anticipated ICES Nigeria Cake Expo 2026, setting the stage for a significant shift in the country’s confectionery industry. Slated for October 7th and 8th, 2026, the expo’s central theme, “AI Advantage, Elevating Cake Business and Creativity,” signals a bold move to equip cake professionals with the knowledge to scale their businesses through Artificial Intelligence.

The annual gathering aims to empower bakers, cake artists, and entrepreneurs by showcasing how AI can be leveraged across various aspects of the business.

Obianuju Arinze, Country Representative for ICES Nigeria, emphasized the urgency of this transformation during the unveiling. “We are in a time where technology is no longer optional; it is essential,” she stated. “Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries across the world, and the cake industry is no exception.”

The focus will be on tangible business growth and creative enhancement, moving beyond basic decoration to embrace digital tools for efficiency and reach. AI, according to Arinze, offers professionals the means to Work Smarter and Scale Bigger by improving efficiency in production and business analytics, enhancing creativity by providing design inspiration and tools to create faster without sacrificing authenticity, and improving customer engagement by leveraging AI for better interactions and service.

According to Chineze Ibuoka, board chairman, ICES Nigeria, the goal is to provide bakers with the knowledge and tools needed to build “profitable, sustainable cake businesses [that] compete confidently on a global stage.”

Ibuoka said that ICES Nigeria association, which has a presence in 20 states and has expanded its membership to African countries like Cameroon and Ghana, also runs philanthropic initiatives focused on empowering women in need through training. She added that the 2026 expo is poised not just to showcase cakes, but to showcase “the future of the industry,” encouraging every member to embrace the new wave of technology “with curiosity and confidence.”